University of West Alabama vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL 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 University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 6,820 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 34.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,230 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at WKU than at University of West Alabama (about $6,910 more per year; $27,000 vs. $20,090).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of West Alabama (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 20.8% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($10,921 vs. $9,037).

Admissions details

• Incoming University of West Alabama students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at WKU (18).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of West Alabama and WKU.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,239 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($250 vs. $273).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 36%).

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