KY State vs. KWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kentucky State University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (2,020 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1.

KY State vs. KWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State or KWC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kentucky State University than KWC ($9,397 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 26.7% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($8,686 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 269.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $25,286 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.9% higher at KWC than at Kentucky State University (about $21,015 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Kentucky State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 147% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($25,538 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. KWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State or KWC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KWC and KY State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is 90 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming KWC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (19 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky State University 14/20; Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; KWC - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman KWC students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 17.7% at KWC.

KY State vs. KWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State and KWC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Kentucky Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $6,093 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($22,907 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($236 vs. $299).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 24%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.