WKU vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 6,310 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 11.4% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($11,150 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at WKU than at Tennessee State University (about $4,584 more per year; $27,000 vs. $22,416).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Tennessee State University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 13% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($10,921 vs. $9,661).

Admissions details

• Incoming WKU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at Tennessee State University (18).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, open admission at Tennessee State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($250 vs. $289).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 29%).

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