Eastern vs. WKU

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

Eastern Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Eastern (77.6% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 980 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $12,279 at Eastern vs $12,548 at WKU. WKU in-state tuition is about $1,332 more per year.
  • Graduation: Eastern 38% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Eastern $37,900 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Eastern Kentucky University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Eastern more selective
Eastern77.6%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Eastern higher
Eastern880-1080
WKU840-1050
Average net price
About even
Eastern$12,279
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
Eastern $1,332 less
Eastern$10,320
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Eastern $5,770 less
Eastern$21,230
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +12 pts
Eastern38%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Eastern +$800
Eastern$37,900
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Eastern 17,024
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Eastern 13,212
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Eastern 77.6%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Eastern 19.9%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Eastern 980
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Eastern 22
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Eastern 3.39
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Eastern B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Eastern Very Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Eastern
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Eastern 880-1080
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Eastern 19-25
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Eastern Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Eastern Aug 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Eastern $10,320
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Eastern $21,230
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Eastern $12,268
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Eastern $12,279
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Eastern $11,468
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Eastern 98%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Eastern 38%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Eastern $37,900
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Eastern 49%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Eastern $23,695
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Eastern $245
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Eastern 17:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Eastern
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Eastern Richmond, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Eastern Distant Town
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Eastern 15,673
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Eastern Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Eastern #886
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY 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 Eastern based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 15,673 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Eastern Kentucky 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 Kentucky University 17:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 2.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,268 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at WKU than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $5,770 more per year; $27,000 vs. $21,230).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Eastern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,468 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Eastern than at WKU (22 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Eastern and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Eastern (3.39).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $555 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,695 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($245 vs. $250).
  • More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (49% 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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