KWC vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

KWC vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC or Kentucky? 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 Wesleyan College than Kentucky ($20,999 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 26% lower than at University of Kentucky ($11,855 vs. $16,016).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 156.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $21,171 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at KWC than at University of Kentucky (about $533 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 98% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($25,538 vs. $12,898).

KWC vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky and KWC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 170 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 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 Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Kentucky students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at KWC (3.3).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

KWC vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC and Kentucky? 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 Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $157 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($22,750 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($235 vs. $236).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.