Fort Valley State University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, 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 Fort Valley State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,897 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Valley State University are 11.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,100 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at WKU than at Fort Valley State University (about $10,068 more per year; $27,000 vs. $16,932).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Fort Valley State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Fort Valley State University students ($10,921 vs. $10,049).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Fort Valley State University than at WKU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fort Valley State University and WKU.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fort Valley State University Jun 15, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.55 higher than at Fort Valley State University (2.87).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at Fort Valley State University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $12,250 lower median loan debt than Fort Valley State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $36,500).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Valley State University graduates ($250 vs. $377).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Valley State University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 19%).

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