WKU vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Penn College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

WKU vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Penn College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Penn College ($12,548 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.8% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Technology ($12,582 vs. $12,818).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 56.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $6,588 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at WKU than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (about $1,020 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $25,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (99% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($10,921 vs. $8,964).

WKU vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Penn College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn College and WKU.

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Penn College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Penn College (3.05).

WKU vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Penn College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Pennsylvania College of Technology's (42%).
• Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Penn College graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.