OU vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, KS with Wayne State College in Wayne, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State College is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ottawa University Ottawa is located in Ottawa, KS (Distant Town setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ottawa University Ottawa 12:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

OU vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or WSC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State College than OU ($16,060 vs. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 25.7% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($10,142 vs. $13,646).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is 336.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $27,664 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 336.7% higher at OU than at Wayne State College (about $27,664 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at Wayne State College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 263.5% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($23,692 vs. $6,517).

OU vs. WSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU or WSC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSC and OU.

• Wayne State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; WSC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman WSC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at OU (3.12).

OU vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and WSC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Ottawa University Ottawa's (47%).
• Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than WSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $1,825 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($20,050 vs. $21,875).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($207 vs. $226).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.