Pensacola State vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pensacola State College in Pensacola, FL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Pensacola State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 9,491 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pensacola State College is located in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Pensacola State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pensacola State College 25:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Pensacola State vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pensacola State or WKU? 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 Pensacola State College than WKU ($5,376 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 28.3% lower than at Pensacola State College ($12,582 vs. $17,556).
• Western Kentucky University is 393.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pensacola State (about $9,291 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $2,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 185.4% higher at WKU than at Pensacola State College (about $17,540 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $9,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Pensacola State College (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 68% larger than aid received by Pensacola State College students ($10,921 vs. $6,499).

Pensacola State vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pensacola State or WKU? 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 WKU and Pensacola State.

• Pensacola State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pensacola State - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pensacola State Aug 30, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Pensacola State (2.54).

Pensacola State vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pensacola State and WKU? 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).

• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Pensacola State graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pensacola State College graduates have a $20,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($3,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Pensacola State graduates have an estimated $214 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($36 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pensacola State students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.