WKU vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Western Kentucky University and Mississippi Valley State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Kentucky University
Mississippi Valley State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Mississippi Valley State University (92.4% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mississippi Valley State University. Average net price is $10,232 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Mississippi Valley State University 24%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Mississippi Valley State University $26,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Mississippi Valley State University
Acceptance rate
Mississippi Valley State University more selective
WKU93.9%
Mississippi Valley State University92.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Mississippi Valley State University-
Average net price
Mississippi Valley State University $2,316 less
WKU$12,548
Mississippi Valley State University$10,232
In-state tuition
Mississippi Valley State University $3,960 less
WKU$11,652
Mississippi Valley State University$7,692
Out-of-state tuition
Mississippi Valley State University $19,308 less
WKU$27,000
Mississippi Valley State University$7,692
Graduation rate
WKU +26 pts
WKU50%
Mississippi Valley State University24%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$10,500
WKU$37,100
Mississippi Valley State University$26,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,141
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,054
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 32.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Mississippi Valley State University 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Mississippi Valley State University B
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13-22
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Mississippi Valley State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Mississippi Valley State University $8,956
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,232
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,933
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 24%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Mississippi Valley State University $26,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 35%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Mississippi Valley State University $29,336
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Mississippi Valley State University $303
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Mississippi Valley State University
    • Education (29%)
    • Business (23%)
    • Human Services (19%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Mississippi Valley State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2,205
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Mississippi Valley State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Mississippi Valley State University #1005

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,205 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Mississippi Valley State University is in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Mississippi Valley State University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 28.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,956 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 251% higher at WKU than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $19,308 more per year; $27,000 vs. $7,692).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($10,933 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at Mississippi Valley State University (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Mississippi Valley State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.52 higher than at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $5,086 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $29,336).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($250 vs. $303).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 35%).

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

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