DSC vs. WKU

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

Dalton State College
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: DSC. Average net price is $5,625 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: DSC 16% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DSC $32,500 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Dalton State College Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
DSC-
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
DSC-
WKU840-1050
Average net price
DSC $6,923 less
DSC$5,625
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
DSC $8,316 less
DSC$3,336
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
DSC $16,344 less
DSC$10,656
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +34 pts
DSC16%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$4,600
DSC$32,500
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • DSC -
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • DSC -
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • DSC Open
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DSC Open
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DSC
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • DSC
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • DSC 3.1
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • DSC B
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • DSC Unavailable
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • DSC
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • DSC
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • DSC
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • DSC Open admission
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DSC Jul 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DSC $3,336
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DSC $10,656
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • DSC $10,419
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • DSC $5,625
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • DSC $6,654
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DSC 92%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • DSC 16%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DSC $32,500
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • DSC 42%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DSC $14,887
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • DSC $153
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DSC 21:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • DSC
    • Health Professions (25%)
    • Business (25%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • DSC Dalton, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • DSC Small City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • DSC 5,135
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • DSC Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DSC
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, 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 DSC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,135 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 17.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,419 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 153.4% higher at WKU than at Dalton State College (about $16,344 more per year; $27,000 vs. $10,656).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Dalton State College (99% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 64.1% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($10,921 vs. $6,654).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at DSC, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.32 higher than at DSC (3.1).

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $9,363 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($14,887 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($153 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 42%).

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

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