WKU vs. Bluefield University

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

Western Kentucky University
Bluefield University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bluefield University (59.3% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $22,216 at Bluefield University.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Bluefield University 36%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Bluefield University $45,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Kentucky University Bluefield University
Acceptance rate
Bluefield University more selective
WKU93.9%
Bluefield University59.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Bluefield University-
Average net price
WKU $9,668 less
WKU$12,548
Bluefield University$22,216
In-state tuition
WKU $15,118 less
WKU$11,652
Bluefield University$26,770
Out-of-state tuition
Bluefield University $230 less
WKU$27,000
Bluefield University$26,770
Graduation rate
WKU +14 pts
WKU50%
Bluefield University36%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bluefield University +$8,600
WKU$37,100
Bluefield University$45,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at WKU Check my chances at Bluefield University
  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Bluefield University 1,386
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Bluefield University 822
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Bluefield University 59.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Bluefield University 18.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Bluefield University
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Bluefield University
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Bluefield University 3.31
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Bluefield University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Bluefield University Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Bluefield University Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Bluefield University
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Bluefield University
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Bluefield University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Bluefield University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Bluefield University $26,770
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Bluefield University $26,770
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Bluefield University $9,480
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Bluefield University $22,216
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Bluefield University $20,341
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Bluefield University 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Bluefield University 36%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Bluefield University $45,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Bluefield University 51%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Bluefield University $20,834
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Bluefield University $215
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Bluefield University 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Bluefield University
    • Business (42%)
    • Psychology (21%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • General Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Bluefield University Bluefield, VA
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Bluefield University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Bluefield University 959
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Bluefield University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 959 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 24.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,480 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at WKU than at Bluefield University (about $230 more per year; $27,000 vs. $26,770).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Bluefield University (99% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 86.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($20,341 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at Bluefield University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Bluefield University (3.31).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $3,416 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,834 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($215 vs. $250).
  • More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (51% 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
Bluefield University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges