WKU vs. Columbia College

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

Western Kentucky University
Columbia College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $21,530 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Columbia College 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Columbia College $41,800 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Kentucky University Columbia College
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
Columbia College-
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Columbia College-
Average net price
WKU $8,982 less
WKU$12,548
Columbia College$21,530
In-state tuition
WKU $14,174 less
WKU$11,652
Columbia College$25,826
Out-of-state tuition
Columbia College $1,174 less
WKU$27,000
Columbia College$25,826
Graduation rate
WKU +11 pts
WKU50%
Columbia College39%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia College +$4,700
WKU$37,100
Columbia College$41,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at WKU Check my chances at Columbia College
  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Columbia College -
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Columbia College -
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Columbia College Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Columbia College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Columbia College
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Columbia College
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Columbia College 3.59
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Columbia College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Columbia College
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Columbia College
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Columbia College
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Columbia College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Columbia College $25,826
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Columbia College $25,826
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Columbia College $9,552
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Columbia College $21,530
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Columbia College $15,882
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Columbia College 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Columbia College 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Columbia College $41,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Columbia College 40%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Columbia College $22,034
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Columbia College $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Columbia College 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Columbia College
    • Business (42%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (29%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Human Services (4%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Columbia College Columbia, MO
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Columbia College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Columbia College 5,689
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,689 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 24.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,552 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at WKU than at Columbia College (about $1,174 more per year; $27,000 vs. $25,826).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Columbia College (99% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 45.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($15,882 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, open admission at Columbia College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at WKU (3.42).

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $2,216 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,034 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($227 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 40%).

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
Columbia College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges