Indiana State vs. WKU

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

Indiana State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Indiana State (80.8% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $12,066 at Indiana State vs $12,548 at WKU. WKU in-state tuition is about $1,394 more per year.
  • Graduation: Indiana State 42% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Indiana State $40,400 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Indiana State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Indiana State more selective
Indiana State80.8%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
Indiana State-
WKU840-1050
Average net price
About even
Indiana State$12,066
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
Indiana State $1,394 less
Indiana State$10,258
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Indiana State $4,678 less
Indiana State$22,322
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +8 pts
Indiana State42%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Indiana State +$3,300
Indiana State$40,400
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Indiana State 12,134
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Indiana State 9,801
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Indiana State 80.8%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Indiana State 14.5%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Indiana State
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Indiana State
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Indiana State 3.29
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Indiana State B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Indiana State Unavailable
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Indiana State
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Indiana State
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Indiana State
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Indiana State Test-free
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Indiana State
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Indiana State $10,258
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Indiana State $22,322
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Indiana State $12,262
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Indiana State $12,066
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Indiana State $12,383
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Indiana State 97%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Indiana State 42%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Indiana State $40,400
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Indiana State 51%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Indiana State $23,720
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Indiana State $245
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Indiana State 16:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Indiana State
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Indiana State Terre Haute, IN
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Indiana State Small City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Indiana State 7,895
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Indiana State Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Indiana State
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN 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 Indiana State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,895 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, IN (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Indiana 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: Indiana State University 16:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana State University are 2.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,262 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at WKU than at Indiana State University (about $4,678 more per year; $27,000 vs. $22,322).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Indiana State University (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana State University students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,383 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Indiana State, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Indiana State (3.29).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at Indiana State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana State University graduates have a $530 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,720 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Indiana State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($245 vs. $250).
  • More Indiana State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (51% 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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