University of the District of Columbia vs. WKU

Deciding between University of the District of Columbia and Western Kentucky University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of the District of Columbia
Western Kentucky University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • University of the District of Columbia Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of the District of Columbia 4,202
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • University of the District of Columbia Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU #970
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • WKU -
  • Status
  • University of the District of Columbia Non-profit
  • WKU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $5,662
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,514
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & Board
  • University of the District of Columbia $17,224
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average Net Price
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,895
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia $7,883
  • WKU $10,921
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia 100%
  • WKU 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Enrolled
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of the District of Columbia Unavailable
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU
  • ACT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • WKU 840/1050
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of the District of Columbia Open admission
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of the District of Columbia 8:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of the District of Columbia
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of the District of Columbia $37,100
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of the District of Columbia 28%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of the District of Columbia $22,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of the District of Columbia $227
  • WKU $250

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of the District of Columbia 35%
  • WKU 38%
  • % Women
  • University of the District of Columbia 65%
  • WKU 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of the District of Columbia Medium
  • WKU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • WKU No
  • % White
  • University of the District of Columbia 4%
  • WKU 76%
  • % Asian
  • University of the District of Columbia 1%
  • WKU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of the District of Columbia 62%
  • WKU 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of the District of Columbia 10%
  • WKU 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • WKU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • WKU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of the District of Columbia 2%
  • WKU 3%
  • % International
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • WKU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of the District of Columbia 12%
  • WKU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 82%
  • WKU 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 13%
  • WKU 33%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • WKU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • WKU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • WKU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • WKU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • WKU Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of the District of Columbia Details
  • WKU Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC 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 University of the District of Columbia based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,202 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • University of the District of Columbia 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 the District of Columbia 8:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia ($12,548 vs. $12,895).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 27% lower than at University of the District of Columbia ($12,582 vs. $17,224).
  • Western Kentucky University is 105.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $5,990 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $5,662.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 115.8% higher at WKU than at University of the District of Columbia (about $14,486 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $12,514.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 38.5% larger than aid received by University of the District of Columbia students ($10,921 vs. $7,883).

University of the District of Columbia vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia.

  • University of the District of Columbia 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: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia's (8%).
  • Graduates of University of the District of Columbia and WKU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $37,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($227 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the District of Columbia students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 28%)

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.