Columbus State vs. WKU

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

Columbus State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 99.1%). Typical SAT 950 vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $12,420 at Columbus State vs $12,548 at WKU. WKU in-state tuition is about $5,754 more per year.
  • Graduation: Columbus State 31% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbus State $37,400 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Columbus State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
Columbus State99.1%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbus State higher
Columbus State800-1060
WKU840-1050
Average net price
About even
Columbus State$12,420
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
Columbus State $5,754 less
Columbus State$5,898
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Columbus State $9,390 less
Columbus State$17,610
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +19 pts
Columbus State31%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbus State +$300
Columbus State$37,400
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbus State 3,648
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Columbus State 3,616
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbus State 99.1%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbus State 31.8%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbus State 930
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbus State 19
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbus State 3.07
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbus State B
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbus State Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbus State
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Columbus State 800-1060
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Columbus State 16-22
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbus State Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbus State Jun 30, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbus State $5,898
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbus State $17,610
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Columbus State $11,720
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Columbus State $12,420
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbus State $9,003
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbus State 89%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbus State 31%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbus State $37,400
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbus State 37%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbus State $26,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbus State $268
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbus State 16:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbus State
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • English and Literature (4%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Columbus State Columbus, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Columbus State Midsize City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbus State 7,913
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Columbus State Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbus State #1007
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus State University in Columbus, GA 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 Columbus State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,913 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Columbus 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: Columbus State University 16:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 6.9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,720 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at WKU than at Columbus State University (about $9,390 more per year; $27,000 vs. $17,610).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Columbus State University (99% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($10,921 vs. $9,003).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Columbus State than at WKU (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Columbus State and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at Columbus State (3.07).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($250 vs. $268).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 37%).

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

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