WKU vs. Defiance College

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

Western Kentucky University
Defiance College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Defiance College (47.5% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 990 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $26,298 at Defiance College.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Defiance College 51%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Defiance College $43,700 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Defiance College
Acceptance rate
Defiance College more selective
WKU93.9%
Defiance College47.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Defiance College higher
WKU840-1050
Defiance College860-1110
Average net price
WKU $13,750 less
WKU$12,548
Defiance College$26,298
In-state tuition
WKU $17,668 less
WKU$11,652
Defiance College$29,320
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $2,320 less
WKU$27,000
Defiance College$29,320
Graduation rate
Defiance College +1 pts
WKU50%
Defiance College51%
Median earnings (10 years)
Defiance College +$6,600
WKU$37,100
Defiance College$43,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Defiance College 1,754
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Defiance College 834
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Defiance College 47.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Defiance College 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Defiance College 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Defiance College 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Defiance College 3.12
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Defiance College B
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Defiance College Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Defiance College Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Defiance College 860-1110
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Defiance College 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Defiance College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Defiance College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Defiance College $29,320
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Defiance College $29,320
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Defiance College $12,606
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Defiance College $26,298
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Defiance College $27,024
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Defiance College 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Defiance College 51%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Defiance College $43,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Defiance College 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Defiance College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Defiance College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Defiance College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Defiance College
    • Business (26%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Defiance College Defiance, OH
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Defiance College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Defiance College 568
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Defiance College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 568 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Defiance College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.2% lower than at Defiance College ($12,582 vs. $12,606).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Defiance College than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,320 more per year; $29,320 vs. $27,000).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at Defiance College (99% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 147.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($27,024 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Defiance College than at WKU (20 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at Defiance College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Defiance College (3.12).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Defiance College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Defiance College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 47%).

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

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