WKU vs. Erskine College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Erskine College in Due West, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Erskine College is in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Erskine College 15:1.

WKU vs. Erskine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Erskine College? 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 Western Kentucky University than Erskine College ($12,548 vs. $23,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 5% lower than at Erskine College ($12,582 vs. $13,250).
• Erskine College is 215.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $25,058 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at Erskine College than at Western Kentucky University (about $9,710 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Erskine College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 185.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($31,174 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Erskine College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Erskine College (1040) is 90 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Erskine College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; Erskine College 920/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; Erskine College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Erskine College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Erskine College (3.26).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 22.2% at Erskine College.

WKU vs. Erskine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Erskine College? 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).

• Erskine College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from Erskine College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Erskine College graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Erskine College graduates ($250 vs. $276).
• More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.