WKU vs. CUNY Graduate Center

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with CUNY Graduate School and University Center in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CUNY Graduate Center based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 9,536 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); CUNY Graduate School and University Center is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Graduate School and University Center is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; CUNY Graduate School and University Center 13:1.

WKU vs. CUNY Graduate Center Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or CUNY Graduate Center? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 43.5% lower than at CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($12,582 vs. $22,260).
• Western Kentucky University is 61.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CUNY Graduate Center (about $4,417 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,235.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at WKU than at CUNY Graduate School and University Center (about $11,815 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $15,185.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at CUNY Graduate School and University Center (99% vs. 0%).

WKU vs. CUNY Graduate Center Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or CUNY Graduate Center? 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 CUNY Graduate Center and WKU.

• 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; CUNY Graduate Center - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CUNY Graduate Center (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 12% at CUNY Graduate Center.

WKU vs. CUNY Graduate Center Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and CUNY Graduate Center? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Graduate School and University Center graduates have a $14,910 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($9,340 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CUNY Graduate Center graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($96 vs. $250).
• More CUNY Graduate Center graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.