WKU vs. WMU

Western Kentucky University and Western Michigan University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Kentucky University
Western Michigan University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WMU (84.6% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $17,331 at WMU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs WMU 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs WMU $48,900 (median).
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Key differences

Western Kentucky University Western Michigan University
Acceptance rate
WMU more selective
WKU93.9%
WMU84.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WMU higher
WKU840-1050
WMU990-1220
Average net price
WKU $4,783 less
WKU$12,548
WMU$17,331
In-state tuition
WKU $3,600 less
WKU$11,652
WMU$15,252
Out-of-state tuition
WMU $7,966 less
WKU$27,000
WMU$19,034
Graduation rate
WMU +6 pts
WKU50%
WMU56%
Median earnings (10 years)
WMU +$11,800
WKU$37,100
WMU$48,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • WMU 21,701
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • WMU 18,359
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • WMU 84.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • WMU 13.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • WMU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • WMU 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • WMU 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • WMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • WMU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • WMU
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • WMU 990-1220
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • WMU 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • WMU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • WMU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • WMU $15,252
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • WMU $19,034
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • WMU $12,174
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • WMU $17,331
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • WMU $11,048
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • WMU 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • WMU 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • WMU $48,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • WMU 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • WMU $26,633
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • WMU $275
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • WMU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • WMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Engineering (6%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • WMU Kalamazoo, MI
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • WMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • WMU 16,744
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • WMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • WMU #643

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Michigan University is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
  • Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.2% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,174 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at WKU than at Western Michigan University (about $7,966 more per year; $27,000 vs. $19,034).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Western Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($11,048 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at WMU than at WKU (23 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at WMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WMU average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,383 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,633).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($250 vs. $275).
  • More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 47%).

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

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