WKU vs. Harris-Stowe State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Harris Stowe State University in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Harris-Stowe State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,002 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Harris Stowe State University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Harris Stowe State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Harris Stowe State University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harris Stowe State University are 14.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,728 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132% higher at WKU than at Harris Stowe State University (about $15,360 more per year; $27,000 vs. $11,640).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harris Stowe State University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harris Stowe State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,325 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, open admission at Harris-Stowe State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Harris-Stowe State University (3.04).

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,775 lower median loan debt than Harris-Stowe State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,025).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harris-Stowe State University graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harris-Stowe State University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 27%).

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