WKU vs. Southeast Missouri State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Southeast Missouri State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 9,501 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Southeast Missouri State University is in Cape Girardeau, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southeast Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Southeast Missouri State University 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeast Missouri State University are 3.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,198 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.6% higher at WKU than at Southeast Missouri State University (about $17,097 more per year; $27,000 vs. $9,903).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Southeast Missouri State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 28.3% larger than aid received by Southeast Missouri State University students ($10,921 vs. $8,512).

Admissions details

• Incoming WKU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at Southeast Missouri State University (18).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Southeast Missouri State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Southeast Missouri State University Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Southeast Missouri State University average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at WKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 17.9% at Southeast Missouri State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeast Missouri State University graduates have a $1,723 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,527 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Southeast Missouri State University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($232 vs. $250).
• More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 47%).

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