WKU vs. Shawnee State University

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

Western Kentucky University
Shawnee State University

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $13,996 at Shawnee State University.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Shawnee State University 22%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Shawnee State University $36,300 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Shawnee State University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
Shawnee State University-
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
Shawnee State University-
Average net price
WKU $1,448 less
WKU$12,548
Shawnee State University$13,996
In-state tuition
Shawnee State University $1,026 less
WKU$11,652
Shawnee State University$10,626
Out-of-state tuition
Shawnee State University $9,642 less
WKU$27,000
Shawnee State University$17,358
Graduation rate
WKU +28 pts
WKU50%
Shawnee State University22%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$800
WKU$37,100
Shawnee State University$36,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Shawnee State University -
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Shawnee State University -
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Shawnee State University Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Shawnee State University Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Shawnee State University
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Shawnee State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Shawnee State University 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Shawnee State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Shawnee State University Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Shawnee State University
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Shawnee State University
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Shawnee State University
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Shawnee State University Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Shawnee State University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Shawnee State University $10,626
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Shawnee State University $17,358
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Shawnee State University $12,502
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Shawnee State University $13,996
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Shawnee State University $7,820
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Shawnee State University 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Shawnee State University 22%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Shawnee State University $36,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Shawnee State University 36%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Shawnee State University $23,712
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Shawnee State University $245
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Shawnee State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Shawnee State University
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OH
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Shawnee State University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Shawnee State University 3,231
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Shawnee State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Shawnee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Shawnee State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,231 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Shawnee State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shawnee State University are 0.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,502 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at WKU than at Shawnee State University (about $9,642 more per year; $27,000 vs. $17,358).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Shawnee State University (99% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 39.7% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($10,921 vs. $7,820).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, open admission at Shawnee State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Shawnee State University (3.3).

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $538 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,712 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($245 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 36%).

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

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