IPFW vs. WKU

Purdue University Fort Wayne and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Purdue University Fort Wayne
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IPFW (83.9% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $14,735 at IPFW.
  • Graduation: IPFW 26% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IPFW $38,600 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Purdue University Fort Wayne Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
IPFW more selective
IPFW83.9%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IPFW higher
IPFW970-1220
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $2,187 less
IPFW$14,735
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
IPFW $2,120 less
IPFW$9,532
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
IPFW $4,113 less
IPFW$22,887
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +24 pts
IPFW26%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
IPFW +$1,500
IPFW$38,600
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IPFW 7,631
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • IPFW 6,402
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • IPFW 83.9%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IPFW 21.4%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IPFW 1100
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • IPFW 25
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • IPFW 3.37
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • IPFW B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IPFW Average
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • IPFW
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • IPFW 970-1220
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • IPFW 22-29
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • IPFW Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IPFW Aug 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IPFW $9,532
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IPFW $22,887
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • IPFW $11,669
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • IPFW $14,735
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • IPFW $7,135
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IPFW 95%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • IPFW 26%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IPFW $38,600
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • IPFW 51%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IPFW $24,500
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • IPFW $253
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IPFW 13:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • IPFW
    • Business (19%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • IPFW Fort Wayne, IN
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • IPFW Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • IPFW 7,206
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • IPFW Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IPFW #761
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 IPFW based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,206 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 7.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,669 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at WKU than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $4,113 more per year; $27,000 vs. $22,887).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($10,921 vs. $7,135).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at IPFW than at WKU (25 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IPFW and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at IPFW (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than IPFW graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IPFW graduates ($250 vs. $253).
  • More IPFW 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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