CSU vs. WKU

Chicago State University and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Chicago State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (43.3% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 860 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU. Average net price is $10,441 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: CSU 21% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $38,300 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Chicago State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU43.3%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
CSU750-963
WKU840-1050
Average net price
CSU $2,107 less
CSU$10,441
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $1,102 less
CSU$12,754
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $14,246 less
CSU$12,754
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +29 pts
CSU21%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$1,200
CSU$38,300
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 10,638
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • CSU 4,602
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 43.3%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 3.8%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 860
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 17
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.18
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • CSU 750-963
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • CSU 15-19
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CSU
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $12,754
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $12,754
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • CSU $11,550
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • CSU $10,441
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $18,194
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 99%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 21%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $38,300
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 25%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $31,250
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $323
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 9:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Education (7%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chicago, IL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • CSU Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 2,238
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #814
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 8.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,550 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at WKU than at Chicago State University (about $14,246 more per year; $27,000 vs. $12,754).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University as at Western Kentucky University (99% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 66.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($18,194 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at CSU (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CSU, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at CSU (3.18).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,250 vs. $31,250).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($250 vs. $323).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 25%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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