Paine College vs. WKU

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

Paine College
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 95.4%). Typical SAT 950 vs 880.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $15,935 at Paine College.
  • Graduation: Paine College 27% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Paine College $28,400 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Paine College Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
Paine College95.4%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
Paine College776-976
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $3,387 less
Paine College$15,935
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $2,944 less
Paine College$14,596
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Paine College $12,404 less
Paine College$14,596
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +23 pts
Paine College27%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$8,700
Paine College$28,400
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Paine College 3,105
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Paine College 2,963
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Paine College 95.4%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Paine College 3.6%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Paine College 880
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Paine College 17
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Paine College 2.81
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Paine College B-
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Paine College Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Paine College
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Paine College 776-976
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Paine College 15-19
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Paine College Test-free
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Paine College Jul 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Paine College $14,596
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Paine College $14,596
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Paine College $7,512
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Paine College $15,935
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Paine College $12,145
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Paine College 100%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Paine College 27%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Paine College $28,400
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Paine College 15%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Paine College $35,750
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Paine College $369
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Paine College 11:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Paine College
    • Business (19%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Paine College Augusta, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Paine College Midsize City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Paine College 390
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Paine College Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Paine College
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA 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 Paine College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 390 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 40.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($7,512 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 85% higher at WKU than at Paine College (about $12,404 more per year; $27,000 vs. $14,596).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,145 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at Paine College (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Paine College, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.61 higher than at Paine College (2.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($24,250 vs. $35,750).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($250 vs. $369).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 15%).

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

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