WKU vs. WVSU

Western Kentucky University and West Virginia State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Kentucky University
West Virginia State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WKU (93.9% admitted vs 96%). Typical SAT 950 vs 900.
  • Cheaper after aid: WVSU. Average net price is $11,055 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs WVSU 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs WVSU $32,700 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University West Virginia State University
Acceptance rate
WKU more selective
WKU93.9%
WVSU96%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
WVSU760-1040
Average net price
WVSU $1,493 less
WKU$12,548
WVSU$11,055
In-state tuition
WVSU $2,082 less
WKU$11,652
WVSU$9,570
Out-of-state tuition
WVSU $12,010 less
WKU$27,000
WVSU$14,990
Graduation rate
WKU +25 pts
WKU50%
WVSU25%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$4,400
WKU$37,100
WVSU$32,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • WVSU 6,163
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • WVSU 5,914
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • WVSU 96%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • WVSU 5.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • WVSU 900
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • WVSU 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • WVSU 3.24
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • WVSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • WVSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • WVSU
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • WVSU 760-1040
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • WVSU 15-20
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • WVSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • WVSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • WVSU $9,570
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • WVSU $14,990
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • WVSU $13,522
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • WVSU $11,055
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • WVSU $8,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • WVSU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • WVSU 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • WVSU $32,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • WVSU 35%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • WVSU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • WVSU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • WVSU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • WVSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (23%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • WVSU Institute, WV
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • WVSU Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • WVSU 3,246
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • WVSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • WVSU #1010

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 7% lower than at West Virginia State University ($12,582 vs. $13,522).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at WKU than at West Virginia State University (about $12,010 more per year; $27,000 vs. $14,990).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at West Virginia State University (99% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($10,921 vs. $8,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at WVSU (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and WVSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at WVSU (3.24).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($240 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 35%).

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

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