WKU vs. ETSU

Western Kentucky University and East Tennessee State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Kentucky University
East Tennessee State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: ETSU (86.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $16,286 at ETSU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs ETSU 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs ETSU $40,000 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University East Tennessee State University
Acceptance rate
ETSU more selective
WKU93.9%
ETSU86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ETSU higher
WKU840-1050
ETSU980-1200
Average net price
WKU $3,738 less
WKU$12,548
ETSU$16,286
In-state tuition
ETSU $1,180 less
WKU$11,652
ETSU$10,472
Out-of-state tuition
ETSU $12,478 less
WKU$27,000
ETSU$14,522
Graduation rate
WKU +6 pts
WKU50%
ETSU44%
Median earnings (10 years)
ETSU +$2,900
WKU$37,100
ETSU$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • ETSU 10,050
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • ETSU 8,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • ETSU 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • ETSU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • ETSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • ETSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • ETSU 3.33
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • ETSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • ETSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • ETSU
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ETSU 980-1200
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • ETSU 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • ETSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • ETSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • ETSU $10,472
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • ETSU $14,522
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • ETSU $10,554
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • ETSU $16,286
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • ETSU $10,101
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • ETSU 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • ETSU 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • ETSU $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • ETSU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • ETSU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • ETSU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • ETSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • ETSU
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • ETSU Johnson City, TN
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • ETSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • ETSU 13,728
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • ETSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • ETSU #650

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 13,728 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 16.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 85.9% higher at WKU than at East Tennessee State University (about $12,478 more per year; $27,000 vs. $14,522).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at East Tennessee State University (99% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($10,921 vs. $10,101).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at ETSU than at WKU (22 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and ETSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at ETSU (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($211 vs. $250).
  • More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (50% 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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