WKU vs. Johnson University

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

Western Kentucky University
Johnson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Johnson University (65.1% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $22,615 at Johnson University.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Johnson University 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Johnson University $31,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Kentucky University Johnson University
Acceptance rate
Johnson University more selective
WKU93.9%
Johnson University65.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Johnson University higher
WKU840-1050
Johnson University960-1110
Average net price
WKU $10,067 less
WKU$12,548
Johnson University$22,615
In-state tuition
WKU $9,470 less
WKU$11,652
Johnson University$21,122
Out-of-state tuition
Johnson University $5,878 less
WKU$27,000
Johnson University$21,122
Graduation rate
Johnson University +4 pts
WKU50%
Johnson University54%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$6,000
WKU$37,100
Johnson University$31,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WKU and Johnson University with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WKU Check my chances at Johnson University
  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Johnson University 794
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Johnson University 517
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Johnson University 65.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Johnson University 32.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Johnson University 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Johnson University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Johnson University 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Johnson University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Johnson University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Johnson University Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Johnson University 960-1110
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Johnson University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Johnson University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Johnson University Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Johnson University $21,122
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Johnson University $21,122
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Johnson University $9,900
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Johnson University $22,615
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Johnson University $11,630
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Johnson University 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Johnson University 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Johnson University $31,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Johnson University 64%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Johnson University $21,380
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Johnson University $221
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Johnson University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Johnson University
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
    • Education (14%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Johnson University Knoxville, TN
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Johnson University Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Johnson University 978
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Johnson University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Johnson University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 978 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 21.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,900 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at WKU than at Johnson University (about $5,878 more per year; $27,000 vs. $21,122).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at Johnson University (99% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,630 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Johnson University than at WKU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Johnson University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Johnson University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Johnson University average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 32.3% at Johnson University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Johnson University graduates have a $2,870 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,380 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Johnson University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($221 vs. $250).
  • More Johnson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 47%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Kentucky University
Johnson University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges