GS vs. WKU

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

Georgia Southern University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: GS (87.9% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $15,971 at GS.
  • Graduation: GS 47% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: GS $44,800 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Georgia Southern University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
GS more selective
GS87.9%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
GS higher
GS986-1133
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $3,423 less
GS$15,971
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
GS $5,630 less
GS$6,022
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
GS $9,266 less
GS$17,734
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +3 pts
GS47%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
GS +$7,700
GS$44,800
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • GS 20,840
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • GS 18,317
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • GS 87.9%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • GS 28.2%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GS 1060
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • GS 20
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • GS 3.36
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • GS B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • GS Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • GS
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • GS 986-1133
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • GS 18-23
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • GS Required
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • GS May 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • GS $6,022
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • GS $17,734
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • GS $11,492
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • GS $15,971
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • GS $8,994
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • GS 90%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • GS 47%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • GS $44,800
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • GS 52%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • GS $23,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • GS $237
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • GS 25:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • GS
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • GS Statesboro, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • GS Remote Town
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • GS 27,423
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • GS Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • GS #957
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Georgia Southern University is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (27,423 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, GA (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Georgia Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southern University 25:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southern University are 8.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,492 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at WKU than at Georgia Southern University (about $9,266 more per year; $27,000 vs. $17,734).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Georgia Southern University (99% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Georgia Southern University students ($10,921 vs. $8,994).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at GS than at WKU (20 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at GS, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GS May 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at GS (3.36).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at GS vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southern University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, GS graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($237 vs. $250).
  • More GS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (52% 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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