KWC vs. WKU

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

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: KWC (71.6% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $20,999 at KWC.
  • Graduation: KWC 44% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KWC $38,500 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Kentucky Wesleyan College Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
KWC more selective
KWC71.6%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KWC higher
KWC890-1130
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $8,451 less
KWC$20,999
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $23,021 less
KWC$34,673
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $7,673 less
KWC$34,673
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +6 pts
KWC44%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
KWC +$1,400
KWC$38,500
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KWC 2,113
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • KWC 1,513
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • KWC 71.6%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KWC 17.7%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KWC 1010
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • KWC 19
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • KWC 3.3
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • KWC B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KWC Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • KWC 890-1130
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • KWC 16-23
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • KWC Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KWC
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • KWC $11,855
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • KWC $20,999
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • KWC $25,538
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KWC 100%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • KWC 44%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KWC $38,500
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • KWC 54%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KWC $22,907
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • KWC $236
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KWC 15:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • KWC Small City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • KWC 887
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KWC
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 5.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,855 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at KWC than at Western Kentucky University (about $7,673 more per year; $34,673 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 133.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($25,538 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at KWC than at WKU (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both KWC and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $1,343 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,907 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($236 vs. $250).
  • More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 47%).

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

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