Eureka College vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Eureka College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Eureka College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eureka College or WKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Eureka College ($12,548 vs. $19,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eureka College are 15% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,698 vs. $12,582).
• Eureka College is 149.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $17,444 more per year; $29,096.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Eureka College than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,096 more per year; $29,096.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eureka College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eureka College students is 87.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($20,489 vs. $10,921).

Eureka College vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eureka College or WKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WKU and Eureka College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eureka College (1010) is 60 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Eureka College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eureka College 870/1155; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eureka College 16/23; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eureka College - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eureka College Aug 15, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Eureka College (3.22).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Eureka College (85%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Eureka College vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Eureka College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eureka College and WKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Eureka College's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Eureka College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $1,125 lower median loan debt than Eureka College graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,375).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eureka College graduates ($250 vs. $262).
• More Eureka College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.