WKU vs. Bethel

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

Western Kentucky University
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bethel (60.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 980 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $12,548 at WKU vs $13,112 at Bethel. Bethel in-state tuition is about $7,060 more per year.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Bethel 32%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Bethel $42,700 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Bethel University
Acceptance rate
Bethel more selective
WKU93.9%
Bethel60.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethel higher
WKU840-1050
Bethel830-1120
Average net price
About even
WKU$12,548
Bethel$13,112
In-state tuition
WKU $7,060 less
WKU$11,652
Bethel$18,712
Out-of-state tuition
Bethel $8,288 less
WKU$27,000
Bethel$18,712
Graduation rate
WKU +18 pts
WKU50%
Bethel32%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bethel +$5,600
WKU$37,100
Bethel$42,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Bethel 1,486
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Bethel 895
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Bethel 60.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Bethel 32.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Bethel 980
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Bethel 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Bethel 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Bethel A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Bethel Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Bethel Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Bethel 830-1120
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Bethel 15-21
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Bethel Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Bethel
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Bethel $18,712
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Bethel $18,712
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Bethel $10,538
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Bethel $13,112
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Bethel $17,700
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Bethel 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Bethel 32%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Bethel $42,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Bethel 33%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Bethel $28,250
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Bethel $292
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Bethel 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Bethel
    • Business (78%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Biology (3%)
    • Health Professions (3%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Bethel McKenzie, TN
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Bethel Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Bethel 2,936
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Bethel Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Bethel #966

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 16.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,538 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at WKU than at Bethel University (about $8,288 more per year; $27,000 vs. $18,712).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Bethel University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($17,700 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WKU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at Bethel (18).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Bethel.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bethel average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($24,250 vs. $28,250).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($250 vs. $292).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 33%).

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

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