WKU vs. Lane College

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

Western Kentucky University
Lane College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: Lane College. Average net price is $11,803 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Lane College 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Lane College $25,000 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Lane College
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
Lane College-
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Lane College-
Average net price
Lane College $745 less
WKU$12,548
Lane College$11,803
In-state tuition
WKU $138 less
WKU$11,652
Lane College$11,790
Out-of-state tuition
Lane College $15,210 less
WKU$27,000
Lane College$11,790
Graduation rate
WKU +16 pts
WKU50%
Lane College34%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$12,100
WKU$37,100
Lane College$25,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Lane College -
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Lane College -
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Lane College
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Lane College
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Lane College
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Lane College
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Lane College 2.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Lane College B-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Lane College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Lane College
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Lane College
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Lane College
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Lane College Not reported
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Lane College Aug 21, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Lane College $11,790
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Lane College $11,790
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Lane College $7,610
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Lane College $11,803
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Lane College $11,689
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Lane College 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Lane College 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Lane College $25,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Lane College 12%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Lane College $36,464
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Lane College $377
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Lane College 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Lane College
    • Business (18%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (17%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Lane College Jackson, TN
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Lane College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Lane College 738
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Lane College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Lane College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Lane College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 738 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Lane College is in Jackson, TN (Small City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lane College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Lane College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lane College are 39.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($7,610 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 129% higher at WKU than at Lane College (about $15,210 more per year; $27,000 vs. $11,790).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Lane College (99% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lane College students is 7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,689 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, not reported at Lane College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Lane College Aug 21, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.85 higher than at Lane College (2.57).

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $12,214 lower median loan debt than Lane College graduates ($24,250 vs. $36,464).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lane College graduates ($250 vs. $377).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lane College students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 12%).

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

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