WKU vs. Ole Miss

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

Western Kentucky University
University of Mississippi

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 96.6%). Typical SAT 950 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $15,045 at Ole Miss.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs Ole Miss 60%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs Ole Miss $52,700 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University University of Mississippi
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
Ole Miss96.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Ole Miss higher
WKU840-1050
Ole Miss1000-1200
Average net price
WKU $2,497 less
WKU$12,548
Ole Miss$15,045
In-state tuition
Ole Miss $1,880 less
WKU$11,652
Ole Miss$9,772
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $1,600 less
WKU$27,000
Ole Miss$28,600
Graduation rate
Ole Miss +10 pts
WKU50%
Ole Miss60%
Median earnings (10 years)
Ole Miss +$15,600
WKU$37,100
Ole Miss$52,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • Ole Miss 33,363
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • Ole Miss 32,223
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Ole Miss 96.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Ole Miss 18.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • Ole Miss 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • Ole Miss 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • Ole Miss 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • Ole Miss A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Ole Miss Average
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • Ole Miss
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • Ole Miss 1000-1200
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • Ole Miss 21-29
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • Ole Miss Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Ole Miss
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • Ole Miss $9,772
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • Ole Miss $28,600
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • Ole Miss $12,600
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • Ole Miss $15,045
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • Ole Miss $12,455
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • Ole Miss 74%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • Ole Miss 60%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • Ole Miss $52,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • Ole Miss 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • Ole Miss $20,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • Ole Miss $206
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • Ole Miss 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Ole Miss
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Ole Miss University, MS
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • Ole Miss Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • Ole Miss 26,449
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • Ole Miss Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • Ole Miss #375

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mississippi is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (26,449 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Mississippi is in University, MS (Remote Town setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Mississippi 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 0.1% lower than at University of Mississippi ($12,582 vs. $12,600).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Ole Miss than at Western Kentucky University (about $1,600 more per year; $28,600 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Mississippi (99% vs. 74%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mississippi students is 14% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,455 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Ole Miss than at WKU (25 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Ole Miss.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Ole Miss average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 18.5% at Ole Miss.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mississippi graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Ole Miss graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($206 vs. $250).
  • More Ole Miss graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (60% 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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