WKU vs. Southeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Southeastern based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 14,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Southeastern Louisiana University is in Hammond, LA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southeastern Louisiana University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Southeastern Louisiana University 20:1.

WKU vs. Southeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Southeastern? 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 Southeastern ($12,548 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeastern Louisiana University are 18.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,240 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 39.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern (about $3,279 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.5% higher at WKU than at Southeastern Louisiana University (about $6,149 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,851.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Southeastern Louisiana University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Southeastern Louisiana University students ($10,921 vs. $10,253).

WKU vs. Southeastern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Southeastern? 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 Southeastern and WKU.

• Incoming Southeastern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• 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; Southeastern Louisiana University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Southeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Southeastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Southeastern (3.39).
• Southeastern has a higher acceptance rate (99.3%) than WKU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 38.8% at Southeastern.

WKU vs. Southeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Southeastern? 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 Southeastern Louisiana University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeastern Louisiana University graduates have a $2,978 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,272 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Southeastern graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More Southeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.