Kentucky vs. WKU

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

University of Kentucky
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Kentucky (92.9% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $21,958 at Kentucky.
  • Graduation: Kentucky 59% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Kentucky $51,000 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Kentucky Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Kentucky more selective
Kentucky92.9%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Kentucky higher
Kentucky1070-1290
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $9,410 less
Kentucky$21,958
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $1,850 less
Kentucky$13,502
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $7,140 less
Kentucky$34,140
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
Kentucky +9 pts
Kentucky59%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Kentucky +$13,900
Kentucky$51,000
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Kentucky 31,517
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Kentucky 29,293
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Kentucky 92.9%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Kentucky 22.2%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Kentucky 1180
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Kentucky 24
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Kentucky 3.59
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Kentucky A-
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Kentucky Challenging
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Kentucky
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Kentucky 1070-1290
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Kentucky 21-28
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Kentucky Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Kentucky Feb 15, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Kentucky $13,502
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Kentucky $34,140
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Kentucky $16,016
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Kentucky $21,958
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Kentucky $12,898
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Kentucky 95%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Kentucky 59%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Kentucky $51,000
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Kentucky 62%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Kentucky $22,750
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Kentucky $235
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Kentucky 18:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Kentucky
    • Business (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Kentucky Lexington, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Kentucky Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Kentucky 34,709
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Kentucky Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Kentucky #437
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Kentucky is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 21.4% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,582 vs. $16,016).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Kentucky than at Western Kentucky University (about $7,140 more per year; $34,140 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Kentucky (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,898 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Kentucky than at WKU (24 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Kentucky and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Kentucky average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,750 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($235 vs. $250).
  • More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (62% vs. 47%).

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

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