WKU vs. Marshall University

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

Western Kentucky University
Marshall University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 95.7%). Typical SAT 950 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: Marshall University. Average net price is $8,076 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Marshall University 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Marshall University $40,200 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Marshall University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
Marshall University95.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Marshall University higher
WKU840-1050
Marshall University910-1150
Average net price
Marshall University $4,472 less
WKU$12,548
Marshall University$8,076
In-state tuition
Marshall University $2,490 less
WKU$11,652
Marshall University$9,162
Out-of-state tuition
Marshall University $6,658 less
WKU$27,000
Marshall University$20,342
Graduation rate
WKU +6 pts
WKU50%
Marshall University44%
Median earnings (10 years)
Marshall University +$3,100
WKU$37,100
Marshall University$40,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Marshall University 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Marshall University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Marshall University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Marshall University
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Marshall University 910-1150
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Marshall University 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Marshall University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Marshall University 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Marshall University 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Marshall University $40,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Marshall University 43%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Marshall University $23,134
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Marshall University $239
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Marshall University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Marshall University #868

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,958 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Marshall University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 5.3% lower than at Marshall University ($12,582 vs. $13,292).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at WKU than at Marshall University (about $6,658 more per year; $27,000 vs. $20,342).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Marshall University (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($13,448 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Marshall University than at WKU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Marshall University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Marshall University average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $1,116 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,134 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($239 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 43%).

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

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