WKU vs. CBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Columbia Basin College is in Pasco, WA (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Columbia Basin College 20:1.

WKU vs. CBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or CBC? 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 Columbia Basin College than WKU ($10,656 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 10.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,222 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 77.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $5,097 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 211.5% higher at WKU than at Columbia Basin College (about $18,332 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Columbia Basin College (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 48.2% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($10,921 vs. $7,367).

WKU vs. CBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or CBC? 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 CBC and WKU.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; CBC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.

WKU vs. CBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and CBC? 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).

• Graduates from Columbia Basin College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $13,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($10,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($108 vs. $250).
• More CBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

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.