KY State vs. WKU

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

Kentucky State University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 96.1%). Typical SAT 950 vs 920.
  • Cheaper after aid: KY State. Average net price is $9,397 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: KY State 21% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KY State $31,000 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Kentucky State University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
KY State96.1%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
KY State820-1010
WKU840-1050
Average net price
KY State $3,151 less
KY State$9,397
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
KY State $2,265 less
KY State$9,387
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
KY State $13,342 less
KY State$13,658
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +29 pts
KY State21%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$6,100
KY State$31,000
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at KY State Check my chances at WKU
  • Applied
  • KY State 1,453
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • KY State 1,396
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • KY State 96.1%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KY State 27%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KY State 920
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • KY State 17
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • KY State 2.72
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • KY State B-
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KY State Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KY State
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • KY State 820-1010
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • KY State 14-20
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • KY State Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KY State
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KY State $9,387
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KY State $13,658
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • KY State $8,686
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • KY State $9,397
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • KY State $10,340
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KY State 94%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • KY State 21%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KY State $31,000
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • KY State 24%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KY State $29,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • KY State $299
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KY State 10:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • KY State
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • KY State Frankfort, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • KY State Distant Town
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • KY State 2,020
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • KY State Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KY State #1015
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY 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 KY State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,020 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Kentucky 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: Kentucky State University 10:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 31% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,686 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 97.7% higher at WKU than at Kentucky State University (about $13,342 more per year; $27,000 vs. $13,658).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Kentucky State University (99% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($10,921 vs. $10,340).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at KY State (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both KY State and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.7 higher than at KY State (2.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($24,250 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($250 vs. $299).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 24%).

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.

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

Frequently compared to these colleges