WKU vs. Franklin University

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

Western Kentucky University
Franklin University

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $25,576 at Franklin University.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Franklin University 19%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Franklin University $52,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Franklin University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
Franklin University-
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Franklin University-
Average net price
WKU $13,028 less
WKU$12,548
Franklin University$25,576
In-state tuition
Franklin University $2,075 less
WKU$11,652
Franklin University$9,577
Out-of-state tuition
Franklin University $17,423 less
WKU$27,000
Franklin University$9,577
Graduation rate
WKU +31 pts
WKU50%
Franklin University19%
Median earnings (10 years)
Franklin University +$15,000
WKU$37,100
Franklin University$52,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Franklin University -
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Franklin University -
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Franklin University Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Franklin University Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Franklin University
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Franklin University
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Franklin University -
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Franklin University -
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Franklin University Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Franklin University
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Franklin University
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Franklin University
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Franklin University Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Franklin University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Franklin University $9,577
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Franklin University $9,577
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Franklin University $16,740
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Franklin University $25,576
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Franklin University $5,166
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Franklin University 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Franklin University 19%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Franklin University $52,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Franklin University 38%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Franklin University $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Franklin University $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Franklin University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Franklin University
    • Business (82%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (2%)
    • Psychology (1%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Franklin University Columbus, OH
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Franklin University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Franklin University 9,457
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Franklin University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Franklin University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Franklin University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 9,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Franklin University is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Franklin University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 24.8% lower than at Franklin University ($12,582 vs. $16,740).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 181.9% higher at WKU than at Franklin University (about $17,423 more per year; $27,000 vs. $9,577).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Franklin University (99% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 111.4% larger than aid received by Franklin University students ($10,921 vs. $5,166).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, open admission at Franklin University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Franklin University graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Franklin University graduates ($250 vs. $258).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Franklin University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 38%).

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

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