WKU vs. Miami University-Hamilton

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Miami University-Hamilton based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,480 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Miami University Hamilton is in Hamilton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Miami University Hamilton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Miami University Hamilton 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Miami University Hamilton are 23.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,590 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.1% higher at WKU than at Miami University Hamilton (about $7,593 more per year; $27,000 vs. $19,407).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Miami University Hamilton (99% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 111.4% larger than aid received by Miami University Hamilton students ($10,921 vs. $5,166).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, open admission at Miami University-Hamilton.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Miami University-Hamilton (3.23).

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Miami University-Hamilton graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,750).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami University-Hamilton graduates ($250 vs. $255).
• More Miami University-Hamilton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 47%).

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