WKU vs. UTC

Western Kentucky University and The University of Tennessee Chattanooga side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Kentucky University
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UTC (81.1% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $15,347 at UTC.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs UTC 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs UTC $40,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University The University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Acceptance rate
UTC more selective
WKU93.9%
UTC81.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UTC higher
WKU840-1050
UTC1013-1210
Average net price
WKU $2,799 less
WKU$12,548
UTC$15,347
In-state tuition
UTC $1,204 less
WKU$11,652
UTC$10,448
Out-of-state tuition
UTC $8,488 less
WKU$27,000
UTC$18,512
Graduation rate
WKU +11 pts
WKU50%
UTC39%
Median earnings (10 years)
UTC +$3,500
WKU$37,100
UTC$40,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • UTC 10,494
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • UTC 8,510
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • UTC 81.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • UTC 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • UTC 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • UTC 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • UTC 3.61
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • UTC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • UTC Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • UTC
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • UTC 1013-1210
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • UTC 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • UTC Required
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • UTC May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • UTC $10,448
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • UTC $18,512
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • UTC $12,604
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • UTC $15,347
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • UTC $10,038
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • UTC 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • UTC 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • UTC $40,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • UTC 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • UTC $20,792
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • UTC $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • UTC 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • UTC
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • UTC Chattanooga, TN
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • UTC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • UTC 11,775
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • UTC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • UTC #791

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,582 vs. $12,604).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at WKU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $8,488 more per year; $27,000 vs. $18,512).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (99% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($10,921 vs. $10,038).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at UTC than at WKU (23 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, required at UTC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UTC average a 3.61 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $3,458 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,792 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($214 vs. $250).
  • More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 47%).

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

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