King University vs Western Kentucky University (WKU)

King University and Western Kentucky University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. King University, a private Christian university in Bristol, Tennessee, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on personalized attention and spiritual growth. Western Kentucky University, a public research university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, stands out for its comprehensive academic programs, Division I athletics, and vibrant campus life. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
King University logo

King University

Western Kentucky University logo

Western Kentucky University

Overview

Location Bristol, Tennessee Bowling Green, Kentucky
Campus setting City: Small City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 71.0% 73.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation Presbyterian

Admission

Acceptance rate 66.2% 98.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $45

Graduate: $65
SAT range 1000 - 1160 N/A
ACT range 18 - 24 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 15.0%
Students submitting ACT score 45.0%
Total number of applicants 831 7,255
Total number of admissions given out 550 7,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll 185 2,832
Yield rate 33.6% 39.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $46,698
In state: $27,895

Out of state: $43,903
Average net price $22,029 $12,395
Tuition $31,050
In state: $10,992

Out of state: $27,000
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,856

Meal plan: $4,812
Room/dormitory: $6,744

Meal plan: $3,964
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Other alternative tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

99.0%
Average amount $22,613
98.0%
Average amount $9,576
Students receiving federal student loan 75.0%
Average amount $5,318
47.0%
Average amount $5,128
Students taking out private loans 9.0%
Average amount $16,147
5.0%
Average amount $9,983

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,356
Men 36.2% Women 63.8%
14,729
Men 37.8% Women 62.2%
Graduate students 300
Men 24.7% Women 75.3%
2,021
Men 34.1% Women 65.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students 49.7% N/A
International students 3.3% 1.1%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Small
Dormitory capacity 443 4,942
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Tennessee Virginia Georgia North Carolina Texas Tennessee Indiana Illinois Ohio

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 46.1% 53.6%
Dropout rate 18.3% 22.1%
Transferred out 34.3% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,715
  • Year 2: $57,995
  • Year 3: $62,397
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,734
  • Year 2: $53,810
  • Year 3: $59,619
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,822
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $43,669
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,226
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,667
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,091
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,587
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,640
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,753
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,199
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,015
  • Year 2: $86,696
  • Year 3: $95,431
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,960
  • Year 2: $76,998
  • Year 3: $77,293
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,199
  • Year 2: $70,009
  • Year 3: $77,197
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,704
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $68,358
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,193
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $66,850
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,992
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $65,815
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,607
  • Year 2: $61,144
  • Year 3: $65,553
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,759
  • Year 2: $51,551
  • Year 3: $57,443
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,729
  • Year 2: $52,897
  • Year 3: $56,104
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,172
  • Year 2: $56,281
  • Year 3: $55,609

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