KSU vs. WKU

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

Kennesaw State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: KSU (69.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $15,636 at KSU.
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Kennesaw State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
KSU more selective
KSU69.2%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KSU higher
KSU1000-1220
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $3,088 less
KSU$15,636
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
KSU $5,844 less
KSU$5,808
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
KSU $9,264 less
KSU$17,736
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +50 pts
KSU-
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$37,100
KSU-
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at KSU and WKU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at KSU Check my chances at WKU
  • Applied
  • KSU 34,680
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • KSU 23,995
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • KSU 69.2%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KSU 38%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KSU 1110
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • KSU 22
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • KSU 3.33
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • KSU B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KSU Moderate
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KSU Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • KSU 1000-1220
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • KSU 19-26
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • KSU Required
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KSU $5,808
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KSU $17,736
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • KSU $13,287
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • KSU $15,636
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • KSU $8,223
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KSU 92%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • KSU -
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KSU N/A
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • KSU 53%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KSU $21,200
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • KSU $219
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KSU 23:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • KSU
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • KSU 47,764
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KSU
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kennesaw State University is located in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Kennesaw 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: Kennesaw State University 23:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 5.3% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($12,582 vs. $13,287).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at WKU than at Kennesaw State University (about $9,264 more per year; $27,000 vs. $17,736).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Kennesaw State University (99% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($10,921 vs. $8,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at KSU than at WKU (22 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at KSU, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KSU Jun 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at KSU (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at KSU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $3,050 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,200 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($219 vs. $250).
  • More KSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 47%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Kennesaw State University
Western Kentucky University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges