WKU vs. UWSP

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than UWSP based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 8,233 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is in Stevens Point, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 21:1.

WKU vs. UWSP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or UWSP? 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 UWSP ($12,548 vs. $14,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point are 30.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,800 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 22.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWSP (about $2,164 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $9,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (about $8,492 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (99% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 117.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students ($10,921 vs. $5,014).

WKU vs. UWSP Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UWSP 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 Stevens Point 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UWSP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; UWSP Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UWSP (3.27).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UWSP (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 23.5% at UWSP.

WKU vs. UWSP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and UWSP? 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 Stevens Point's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 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, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $110 lower median loan debt than UWSP graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,360).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWSP graduates ($250 vs. $251).
• More UWSP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.