WKU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Missouri St Louis in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than University of Missouri-St Louis based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 14,736 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Missouri St Louis is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri St Louis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Missouri St Louis 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 6.8% lower than at University of Missouri St Louis ($12,582 vs. $13,502).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at Western Kentucky University (about $8,112 more per year; $35,112 vs. $27,000).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri St Louis than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri St Louis students is 56.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($17,096 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at WKU (23 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and University of Missouri-St Louis.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at University of Missouri-St Louis average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at WKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 12.6% at University of Missouri-St Louis.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri St Louis graduates have a $3,263 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,987 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-St Louis graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($217 vs. $250).
• More University of Missouri-St Louis 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.