WKU vs. AAC

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

Western Kentucky University
Art Academy of Cincinnati

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AAC (34.5% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $33,491 at AAC.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs AAC 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs AAC $30,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Kentucky University Art Academy of Cincinnati
Acceptance rate
AAC more selective
WKU93.9%
AAC34.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
AAC-
Average net price
WKU $20,943 less
WKU$12,548
AAC$33,491
In-state tuition
WKU $29,723 less
WKU$11,652
AAC$41,375
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $14,375 less
WKU$27,000
AAC$41,375
Graduation rate
WKU +6 pts
WKU50%
AAC44%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$6,700
WKU$37,100
AAC$30,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WKU and AAC with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WKU Check my chances at AAC
  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • AAC 1,293
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • AAC 446
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • AAC 34.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • AAC 11.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • AAC
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • AAC
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • AAC 3.1
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • AAC B
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • AAC Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • AAC High
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • AAC
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • AAC
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • AAC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • AAC Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • AAC $41,375
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • AAC $41,375
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • AAC $10,660
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • AAC $33,491
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • AAC $19,460
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • AAC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • AAC 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • AAC $30,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • AAC 55%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • AAC $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • AAC $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • AAC 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • AAC
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • AAC Cincinnati, OH
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • AAC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • AAC 213
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • AAC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • AAC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than AAC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 213 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 15.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,660 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 53.2% higher at AAC than at Western Kentucky University (about $14,375 more per year; $41,375 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students is 78.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($19,460 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and AAC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; AAC Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.32 higher than at AAC (3.1).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 11.4% at AAC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AAC graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More AAC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (55% vs. 47%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Kentucky University
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges