WKU vs. UW-Green Bay

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Wisconsin Green Bay in Green Bay, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than UW-Green Bay based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,174 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Green Bay is in Green Bay, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Wisconsin Green Bay 25:1.

WKU vs. UW-Green Bay Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UW-Green Bay? 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 Wisconsin Green Bay than WKU ($11,429 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Green Bay are 34.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,292 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 33.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Green Bay (about $2,952 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin Green Bay (about $9,712 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $17,288.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin Green Bay (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 43.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Green Bay students ($10,921 vs. $7,611).

WKU vs. UW-Green Bay Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or UW-Green Bay? 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 UW-Green Bay and WKU.

• Incoming UW-Green Bay students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• 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; University of Wisconsin Green Bay 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UW-Green Bay - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UW-Green Bay (3.16).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UW-Green Bay (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 25.2% at UW-Green Bay.

WKU vs. UW-Green Bay Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UW-Green Bay? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Green Bay's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Green Bay graduates have a $2,991 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,259 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UW-Green Bay graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More UW-Green Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.