WKU vs. Livingstone College

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

Western Kentucky University
Livingstone College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Livingstone College (59.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 880 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $12,548 at WKU vs $12,826 at Livingstone College. Livingstone College in-state tuition is about $6,644 more per year.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Livingstone College 28%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Livingstone College $24,200 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Livingstone College
Acceptance rate
Livingstone College more selective
WKU93.9%
Livingstone College59.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Livingstone College800-960
Average net price
About even
WKU$12,548
Livingstone College$12,826
In-state tuition
WKU $6,644 less
WKU$11,652
Livingstone College$18,296
Out-of-state tuition
Livingstone College $8,704 less
WKU$27,000
Livingstone College$18,296
Graduation rate
WKU +22 pts
WKU50%
Livingstone College28%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$12,900
WKU$37,100
Livingstone College$24,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Livingstone College 6,721
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Livingstone College 3,982
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Livingstone College 59.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Livingstone College 8.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Livingstone College 880
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Livingstone College 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Livingstone College 2.64
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Livingstone College B-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Livingstone College Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Livingstone College Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Livingstone College 800-960
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Livingstone College 14-21
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Livingstone College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Livingstone College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Livingstone College $18,296
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Livingstone College $18,296
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Livingstone College $6,794
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Livingstone College $12,826
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Livingstone College $15,485
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Livingstone College 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Livingstone College 28%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Livingstone College $24,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Livingstone College 13%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Livingstone College $42,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Livingstone College $434
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Livingstone College 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Livingstone College
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Human Services (13%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Livingstone College Salisbury, NC
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Livingstone College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Livingstone College 936
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Livingstone College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 46% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($6,794 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.6% higher at WKU than at Livingstone College (about $8,704 more per year; $27,000 vs. $18,296).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at Livingstone College (99% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 41.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($15,485 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at Livingstone College (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at Livingstone College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.78 higher than at Livingstone College (2.64).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 8.6% at Livingstone College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $17,750 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($24,250 vs. $42,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $184 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($250 vs. $434).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 13%).

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

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