KWC vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia's College at Wise is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (2,167 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

KWC vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than KWC ($14,378 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 7.5% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($11,855 vs. $12,816).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 194.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $22,893 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at KWC than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (about $6,663 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $28,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 108.3% larger than aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students ($25,538 vs. $12,262).

KWC vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and KWC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Virginia's College at Wise (1030) is 20 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at KWC (3.3).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

KWC vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $2,080 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($20,827 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($215 vs. $236).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)

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.