KWC vs. University of Charleston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Charleston is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (3,062 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

KWC vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC or University of Charleston? 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 Charleston than KWC ($20,844 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 3.5% lower than at University of Charleston ($11,855 vs. $12,280).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Charleston (about $873 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $33,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at KWC than at University of Charleston (about $873 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $33,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at University of Charleston (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students ($26,132 vs. $25,538).

KWC vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and KWC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Charleston (1070) is 60 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming University of Charleston students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 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 Charleston 985/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; University of Charleston 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman KWC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

KWC vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC and University of Charleston? 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.

• University of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $2,407 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($211 vs. $236).
• More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.