North Central College vs. WKU

Should I go to North Central College or Western Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central College 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
North Central College vs. Western Kentucky University comparison
North Central College Western Kentucky University College 3 College 4
North Central College Western Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

North Central College WKU
Location Naperville, IL Bowling Green, KY
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,695 16,493
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #340 #875
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentralcollege.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central College WKU
Tuition (In State) $42,866 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $42,866 $27,000
Room & Board $11,998 $11,072
Avg Net Price $25,285 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $30,776 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

North Central College WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,099 7,505
Admitted 3,104 7,276
Acceptance Rate 60.9% 96.9%
Enrolled % 15.6% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/28 18/25
SAT Range 1020/1240 980/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 15, 2024 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

North Central College WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

North Central College WKU
Graduation Rate 64% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $258 $250

Diversity

North Central College WKU
% Men 47% 37%
% Women 53% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 76%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

North Central College WKU
% In-State 85% 70%
% Out-of-State 11% 29%

Campus

North Central College 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 North Central College based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 2,695 students)

North Central College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or WKU?

  • North Central College is 285.8% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($42,866.00 vs. $11,112.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.8% higher at North Central College than Western Kentucky University ($42,866.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than North Central College ($12,625 vs. $25,285)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 8.4% lower than costs at North Central College ($11,072 vs. $11,998)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Central College than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 200% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($30,776 vs. $10,260)

North Central College vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Central College (1125) is 78 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming North Central College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than North Central College (60.9%)

North Central College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central College 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 North Central College.

  • The graduation rate at North Central College is higher than Western Kentucky University (64% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from North Central College earn on average $11,800 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than North Central College graduates. ($24,250 vs. $25,000)
  • WKU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than North Central College graduates. ($250 vs. $258)
  • More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 47%)

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