Pitt State vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS 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 Pitt State based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,755 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pittsburg State University is located in Pittsburg, KS (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Pittsburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pittsburg State University 14:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Pitt State vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt 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 Western Kentucky University than Pitt State ($12,548 vs. $15,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pittsburg State University are 18.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,234 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 38.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt State (about $3,252 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at WKU than at Pittsburg State University (about $7,256 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,744.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Pittsburg State University (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 67.9% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($10,921 vs. $6,504).

Pitt State vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitt 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 Pitt State.

• 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: Pitt State - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Pitt State (3.4).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Pitt State (89.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.9% at Pitt State vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Pitt State vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Pittsburg State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Pittsburg State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pittsburg State University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Pitt State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($206 vs. $250).
• More Pitt State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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.