WKU vs. West Virginia University Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than West Virginia University Tech based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,278 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 3.1% lower than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($12,582 vs. $12,986).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at WKU than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (about $5,928 more per year; $27,000 vs. $21,072).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 8.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia University Institute of Technology students ($10,921 vs. $10,068).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at West Virginia University Tech than at WKU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WKU and West Virginia University Tech.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027; West Virginia University Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at West Virginia University Tech average a 3.51 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at WKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 52.3% at West Virginia University Tech.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University Institute of Technology graduates have a $249 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($24,001 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University Tech graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($248 vs. $250).
• More West Virginia University Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 47%).

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