WKU vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

WKU vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or Parkside? 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 Parkside than WKU ($10,234 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 30.5% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,750 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 40.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $3,382 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.9% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $9,571 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 43.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($10,921 vs. $7,598).

WKU vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Parkside 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.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

WKU vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and Parkside? 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 Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $1,285 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($22,965 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.