WKU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 11,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WKU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($12,548 vs. $12,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 35.7% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,090 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 35.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $3,036 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at WKU than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $8,284 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 92.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($10,921 vs. $5,685).

WKU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and WKU.

• Incoming University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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 Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

WKU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $721 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.