McKendree University vs. WKU

Should I go to McKendree University or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McKendree University or WKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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McKendree University vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
McKendree University Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
McKendree University Western Kentucky University
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Overview

McKendree University WKU
Location Lebanon, IL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 1,960 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #607 #875
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University WKU
Tuition (In State) $32,020 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $32,020 $27,000
Room & Board $11,590 $11,072
Avg Net Price $22,431 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $24,145 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

McKendree University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,332 7,505
Admitted 1,594 7,276
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 96.9%
Enrolled % 26.5% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/28 18/25
SAT Range 871/1277 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

McKendree University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

McKendree University WKU
Graduation Rate 54% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $240 $250

Diversity

McKendree University WKU
% Men 46% 37%
% Women 54% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 76%
% Black 14% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

McKendree University WKU
% In-State 48% 70%
% Out-of-State 27% 29%

Campus

McKendree University WKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 1,960 students)

McKendree University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or WKU?

  • McKendree University is 188.2% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($32,020.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.6% higher at McKendree University than Western Kentucky University ($32,020.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than McKendree University ($12,625 vs. $22,431)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 4.7% lower than costs at McKendree University ($11,072 vs. $11,590)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 135.3% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($24,145 vs. $10,260)

McKendree University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McKendree University or WKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WKU or McKendree University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Kentucky University (1047) is 41 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

McKendree University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University or WKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WKU and McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at McKendree University is higher than Western Kentucky University (54% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from McKendree University earn on average $11,200 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $37,100)
  • McKendree University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,250)
  • McKendree University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($240 vs. $250)
  • More McKendree University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/