KWC vs. Memphis

Kentucky Wesleyan College and University of Memphis side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Kentucky Wesleyan College
University of Memphis

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: KWC (71.6% admitted vs 72%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: Memphis. Average net price is $12,756 vs $20,999 at KWC.
  • Graduation: KWC 44% vs Memphis 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KWC $38,500 vs Memphis $42,200 (median).
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Key differences

Kentucky Wesleyan College University of Memphis
Acceptance rate
KWC more selective
KWC71.6%
Memphis72%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Memphis higher
KWC890-1130
Memphis915-1180
Average net price
Memphis $8,243 less
KWC$20,999
Memphis$12,756
In-state tuition
Memphis $23,945 less
KWC$34,673
Memphis$10,728
Out-of-state tuition
Memphis $19,289 less
KWC$34,673
Memphis$15,384
Graduation rate
KWC +6 pts
KWC44%
Memphis38%
Median earnings (10 years)
Memphis +$3,700
KWC$38,500
Memphis$42,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KWC 2,113
  • Memphis 15,084
  • Admitted
  • KWC 1,513
  • Memphis 10,865
  • Acceptance rate
  • KWC 71.6%
  • Memphis 72%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KWC 17.7%
  • Memphis 18.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KWC 1010
  • Memphis 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • KWC 19
  • Memphis 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • KWC 3.3
  • Memphis 3.48
  • Typical high school grades
  • KWC B+
  • Memphis B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • Memphis Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KWC Low
  • Memphis Low
  • SAT range
  • KWC 890-1130
  • Memphis 915-1180
  • ACT range
  • KWC 16-23
  • Memphis 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • KWC Test optional
  • Memphis Required
  • Application deadline
  • KWC
  • Memphis Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • Memphis $10,728
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • Memphis $15,384
  • Room & board
  • KWC $11,855
  • Memphis $11,342
  • Average net price
  • KWC $20,999
  • Memphis $12,756
  • Average grant aid
  • KWC $25,538
  • Memphis $11,793
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KWC 100%
  • Memphis 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • KWC 44%
  • Memphis 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KWC $38,500
  • Memphis $42,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • KWC 54%
  • Memphis 37%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KWC $22,907
  • Memphis $25,250
  • Median loan payment
  • KWC $236
  • Memphis $261
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KWC 15:1
  • Memphis 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Memphis
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (11%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Location
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • Memphis Memphis, TN
  • Setting
  • KWC Small City
  • Memphis Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • KWC 887
  • Memphis 20,276
  • Type
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • Memphis Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KWC
  • Memphis #882

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (20,276 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); University of Memphis is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Memphis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; University of Memphis 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 4.3% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($11,342 vs. $11,855).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 125.4% higher at KWC than at University of Memphis (about $19,289 more per year; $34,673 vs. $15,384).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at University of Memphis (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 116.6% larger than aid received by University of Memphis students ($25,538 vs. $11,793).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Memphis than at KWC (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at KWC, required at Memphis.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Memphis average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $2,343 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($22,907 vs. $25,250).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($236 vs. $261).
  • More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 37%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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