WKU vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 2,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

WKU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise ($12,548 vs. $14,378).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.8% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($12,582 vs. $12,816).
• University of Virginia's College at Wise is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $128 more per year; $11,780.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at UVa-Wise than at Western Kentucky University (about $1,010 more per year; $28,010.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University as at University of Virginia's College at Wise (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,262 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and WKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia's College at Wise (1030) is 80 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

WKU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $3,423 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,827 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($215 vs. $250).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.