Spalding vs. WKU

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

Spalding University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 99.4%). Typical SAT 950 vs 960.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $25,999 at Spalding.
  • Graduation: Spalding 42% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Spalding $45,300 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Spalding University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
Spalding99.4%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
Spalding875-1038
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $13,451 less
Spalding$25,999
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $17,548 less
Spalding$29,200
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $2,200 less
Spalding$29,200
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +8 pts
Spalding42%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Spalding +$8,200
Spalding$45,300
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Spalding 727
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Spalding 723
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Spalding 99.4%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Spalding 15.6%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Spalding 960
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Spalding 18
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Spalding 3.87
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Spalding A
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Spalding Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Spalding
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Spalding 875-1038
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Spalding 15-22
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Spalding Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Spalding
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Spalding $29,200
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Spalding $29,200
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Spalding $9,710
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Spalding $25,999
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Spalding $19,429
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Spalding 100%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Spalding 42%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Spalding $45,300
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Spalding 44%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Spalding $25,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Spalding $258
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Spalding 9:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Spalding
    • Health Professions (41%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Human Services (6%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Spalding Louisville, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Spalding Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Spalding 1,553
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Spalding Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Spalding #756
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY 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 Spalding based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,553 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 22.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,710 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Spalding than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,200 more per year; $29,200 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spalding University students is 77.9% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($19,429 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Spalding students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at WKU (18).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Spalding and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Spalding average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.45 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Spalding graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($250 vs. $258).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 44%).

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

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