WKU vs. UMA

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Maine at Augusta in Augusta, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than UMA based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Maine at Augusta is in Augusta, ME (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maine at Augusta is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Maine at Augusta 16:1.

WKU vs. UMA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UMA? 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 University of Maine at Augusta than WKU ($11,077 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine at Augusta are 16.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,546 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 31.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMA (about $2,764 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,888.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at WKU than at University of Maine at Augusta (about $4,822 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $22,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Maine at Augusta (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 49.1% larger than aid received by University of Maine at Augusta students ($10,921 vs. $7,323).

WKU vs. UMA Admissions comparison

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

• University of Maine at Augusta reports an open admissions policy.
• 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.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UMA - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.

WKU vs. UMA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UMA? 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 Maine at Augusta's (16%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than UMA graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $30,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maine at Augusta graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,750 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UMA graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($235 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMA students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 39%)

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.