Marian vs. WKU

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

Marian University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 95.5%). Typical SAT 950 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $22,786 at Marian.
  • Graduation: Marian 58% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Marian $44,800 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Marian University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
Marian95.5%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
Marian-
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $10,238 less
Marian$22,786
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $29,012 less
Marian$40,664
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $13,664 less
Marian$40,664
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
Marian +8 pts
Marian58%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Marian +$7,700
Marian$44,800
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Marian 3,745
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Marian 3,575
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Marian 95.5%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Marian 15.6%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Marian
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Marian
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Marian 3.56
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Marian A-
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Marian Unavailable
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Marian
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Marian
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Marian
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Marian Test-free
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Marian Aug 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Marian $40,664
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Marian $40,664
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Marian $13,850
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Marian $22,786
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Marian $32,351
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Marian 97%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Marian 58%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Marian $44,800
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Marian 57%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Marian $27,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Marian $279
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Marian 13:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Marian
    • Business (55%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Marian Indianapolis, IN
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Marian Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Marian 3,486
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Marian Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Marian
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Indianapolis, IN 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 Marian based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,486 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 9.2% lower than at Marian University ($12,582 vs. $13,850).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at Marian than at Western Kentucky University (about $13,664 more per year; $40,664 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Marian University (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 196.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($32,351 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Marian, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Marian average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (57% 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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