WKU vs. JCSU

Western Kentucky University and Johnson C Smith University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Kentucky University
Johnson C Smith University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JCSU (45.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 890 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $19,705 at JCSU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs JCSU 37%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs JCSU $30,300 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Johnson C Smith University
Acceptance rate
JCSU more selective
WKU93.9%
JCSU45.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
JCSU800-980
Average net price
WKU $7,157 less
WKU$12,548
JCSU$19,705
In-state tuition
WKU $9,648 less
WKU$11,652
JCSU$21,300
Out-of-state tuition
JCSU $5,700 less
WKU$27,000
JCSU$21,300
Graduation rate
WKU +13 pts
WKU50%
JCSU37%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$6,800
WKU$37,100
JCSU$30,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • JCSU 6,820
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • JCSU 3,083
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • JCSU 45.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • JCSU 12.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • JCSU 890
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • JCSU 15
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • JCSU 2.48
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • JCSU C+
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • JCSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • JCSU Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • JCSU 800-980
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • JCSU 13-18
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • JCSU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • JCSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • JCSU $21,300
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • JCSU $21,300
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • JCSU $8,600
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • JCSU $19,705
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • JCSU $15,238
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • JCSU 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • JCSU 37%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • JCSU $30,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • JCSU 26%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • JCSU $32,050
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • JCSU $331
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • JCSU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • JCSU
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • JCSU Charlotte, NC
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • JCSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • JCSU 1,302
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • JCSU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • JCSU #967

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than JCSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,302 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 31.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,600 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at WKU than at Johnson C Smith University (about $5,700 more per year; $27,000 vs. $21,300).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Johnson C Smith University (99% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 39.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($15,238 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at WKU than at JCSU (18 vs. 15, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at JCSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.94 higher than at JCSU (2.48).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 12.8% at JCSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $7,800 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($24,250 vs. $32,050).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($250 vs. $331).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 26%).

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

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