KWC vs. Shawnee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Shawnee State University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Shawnee State University 12:1.

KWC vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University than KWC ($13,996 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 5.2% lower than at Shawnee State University ($11,855 vs. $12,502).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 226.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $24,047 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.8% higher at KWC than at Shawnee State University (about $17,315 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Shawnee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 226.6% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($25,538 vs. $7,820).

KWC vs. Shawnee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University and KWC.

• Shawnee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Shawnee State University - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman KWC students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Shawnee State University (3.3).

KWC vs. Shawnee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC and Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $805 lower median loan debt than Shawnee State University graduates ($22,907 vs. $23,712).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shawnee State University graduates ($236 vs. $245).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 36%)

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.