WKU vs. UW-Platteville

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than UW-Platteville based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 6,389 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WKU vs. UW-Platteville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UW-Platteville? 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 Western Kentucky University than UW-Platteville ($12,548 vs. $16,266).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Platteville are 21.4% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,886 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Platteville (about $3,008 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,644.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.4% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin Platteville (about $9,397 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $17,603.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin Platteville (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 128.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Platteville students ($10,921 vs. $4,780).

WKU vs. UW-Platteville Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-Platteville students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 Platteville 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UW-Platteville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UW-Platteville (3.39).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UW-Platteville (89.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 29.7% at UW-Platteville.

WKU vs. UW-Platteville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UW-Platteville? 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 Platteville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $5 lower median loan debt than UW-Platteville graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,255).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Wisconsin Platteville and WKU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($250 vs. $250).
• More UW-Platteville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.