ISU vs. WKU

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

Illinois State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: ISU (88.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $21,369 at ISU.
  • Graduation: ISU 71% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ISU $49,000 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
ISU more selective
ISU88.2%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
ISU990-1210
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $8,821 less
ISU$21,369
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $4,492 less
ISU$16,144
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $1,210 less
ISU$28,210
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
ISU +21 pts
ISU71%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
ISU +$11,900
ISU$49,000
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ISU 21,573
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • ISU 19,017
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • ISU 88.2%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ISU 22.5%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1100
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • ISU 3.41
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • ISU B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • ISU Moderate
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • ISU
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • ISU 990-1210
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • ISU 21-27
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ISU $16,144
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ISU $28,210
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • ISU $11,754
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • ISU $21,369
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • ISU $12,974
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ISU 96%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • ISU 71%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ISU $49,000
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • ISU 74%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ISU $22,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • ISU $227
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ISU 19:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 21,546
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ISU #502
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois State University is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Illinois 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: Illinois State University 19:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 6.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,754 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at ISU than at Western Kentucky University (about $1,210 more per year; $28,210 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Illinois State University (99% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 18.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,974 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at ISU than at WKU (24 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ISU and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at ISU (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($227 vs. $250).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (74% 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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