Faulkner vs. WKU

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

Faulkner University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Faulkner (73.1% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $19,920 at Faulkner.
  • Graduation: Faulkner 33% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Faulkner $41,500 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Faulkner University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Faulkner more selective
Faulkner73.1%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Faulkner higher
Faulkner886-1135
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $7,372 less
Faulkner$19,920
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $12,268 less
Faulkner$23,920
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Faulkner $3,080 less
Faulkner$23,920
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +17 pts
Faulkner33%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Faulkner +$4,400
Faulkner$41,500
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Faulkner 1,073
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Faulkner 784
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Faulkner 73.1%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Faulkner 34.3%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Faulkner 1010
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Faulkner 20
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Faulkner 3.36
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Faulkner B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Faulkner Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Faulkner Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Faulkner 886-1135
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Faulkner 17-23
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Faulkner Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Faulkner
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Faulkner $23,920
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Faulkner $23,920
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Faulkner $8,350
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Faulkner $19,920
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Faulkner $17,782
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Faulkner 88%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Faulkner 33%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Faulkner $41,500
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Faulkner 30%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Faulkner $21,750
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Faulkner $224
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Faulkner 14:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Faulkner
    • Business (73%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Education (3%)
    • Psychology (2%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (1%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Faulkner Montgomery, AL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Faulkner Midsize City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Faulkner 3,086
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Faulkner Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Faulkner #872
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL 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 Faulkner based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,086 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Faulkner University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Faulkner University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Faulkner University 14:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Faulkner University are 33.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,350 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at WKU than at Faulkner University (about $3,080 more per year; $27,000 vs. $23,920).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Faulkner University (99% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Faulkner University students is 62.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($17,782 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Faulkner than at WKU (20 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Faulkner and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Faulkner (3.36).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.3% at Faulkner vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Faulkner University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,750 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Faulkner graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($224 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Faulkner students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 30%).

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

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