WKU vs. FIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than FIT based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Fashion Institute of Technology is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fashion Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Fashion Institute of Technology 16:1.

WKU vs. FIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or FIT? 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 FIT ($12,548 vs. $16,340).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 50.6% lower than at Fashion Institute of Technology ($12,582 vs. $25,458).
• Western Kentucky University is 85.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIT (about $5,358 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $6,294.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60% higher at WKU than at Fashion Institute of Technology (about $10,126 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $16,874.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Fashion Institute of Technology (99% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 31.5% larger than aid received by Fashion Institute of Technology students ($10,921 vs. $8,304).

WKU vs. FIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or FIT? 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 FIT 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; FIT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; FIT Jan 1, 2027.
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than FIT (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 55.8% at FIT.

WKU vs. FIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and FIT? 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).

• Graduates from Fashion Institute of Technology earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fashion Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, FIT graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More FIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.