WKU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Johnson & Wales University Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,184 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Johnson & Wales University Charlotte 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 15% lower than at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte ($12,582 vs. $14,800).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.1% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte than at Western Kentucky University (about $15,419 more per year; $42,419 vs. $27,000).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Charlotte students is 175% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($30,033 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte than at WKU (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 13.7% at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,650 lower median loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates ($250 vs. $278).
• More Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 47%).

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