WKU vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 791 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.6% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,582 vs. $13,050).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Warren Wilson than at Western Kentucky University (about $14,500 more per year; $41,500 vs. $27,000).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 182.8% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($30,887 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Warren Wilson than at WKU (25 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and Warren Wilson.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Warren Wilson average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at WKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 47%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.