EIU vs. WKU

Eastern Illinois University and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Eastern Illinois University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: EIU (65.3% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 990 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $13,787 at EIU.
  • Graduation: EIU 59% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: EIU $43,500 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Eastern Illinois University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
EIU more selective
EIU65.3%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
EIU higher
EIU880-1090
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $1,239 less
EIU$13,787
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $2,027 less
EIU$13,679
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
EIU $10,783 less
EIU$16,217
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
EIU +9 pts
EIU59%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
EIU +$6,400
EIU$43,500
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • EIU 12,539
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • EIU 8,194
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • EIU 65.3%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • EIU 9.8%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • EIU 990
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • EIU
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • EIU 3.39
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • EIU B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • EIU Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • EIU Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • EIU 880-1090
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • EIU
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • EIU Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • EIU
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • EIU $13,679
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • EIU $16,217
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • EIU $12,282
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • EIU $13,787
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • EIU $12,960
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • EIU 95%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • EIU 59%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • EIU $43,500
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • EIU 59%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • EIU $23,650
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • EIU $244
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • EIU 14:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • EIU
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • EIU Charleston, IL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • EIU Remote Town
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • EIU 8,505
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • EIU Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • EIU #688
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,505 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 2.4% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,282 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.5% higher at WKU than at Eastern Illinois University (about $10,783 more per year; $27,000 vs. $16,217).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Eastern Illinois University (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,960 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both EIU and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at EIU (3.39).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $600 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,650 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($244 vs. $250).
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 47%).

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

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