University of Memphis (UofM) vs Western Kentucky University (WKU)

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of Memphis and Western Kentucky University, both located in vibrant college towns, offer distinct experiences. The University of Memphis boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while Western Kentucky University has a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore their popular majors, such as Business and Health Professions at the University of Memphis, and Education and Engineering at Western Kentucky University. Delve into the student body demographics to understand the diverse communities on each campus. Utilize the comprehensive comparison table to uncover more details about these universities, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
University of Memphis logo

University of Memphis

Western Kentucky University logo

Western Kentucky University

Overview

Location Memphis, Tennessee Bowling Green, Kentucky
Campus setting City: Large City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 72.0% 73.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 95.2% 98.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $45

Graduate: $65
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 14,916 7,255
Total number of admissions given out 14,201 7,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,593 2,832
Yield rate 18.3% 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
In state: $26,429

Out of state: $30,461
In state: $27,895

Out of state: $43,903
Average net price $14,251 $12,395
Tuition
In state: $8,352

Out of state: $12,384
In state: $10,992

Out of state: $27,000
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,020

Meal plan: $4,414
Room/dormitory: $6,744

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $9,642
98.0%
Average amount $9,576
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $4,996
47.0%
Average amount $5,128
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $12,990
5.0%
Average amount $9,983

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 16,702
Men 39.4% Women 60.6%
14,729
Men 37.8% Women 62.2%
Graduate students 4,920
Men 38.6% Women 61.4%
2,021
Men 34.1% Women 65.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 17.9% N/A
International students 4.2% 1.1%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,683 4,942
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Tennessee Mississippi Arkansas Illinois Missouri Tennessee Indiana Illinois Ohio

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Education
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 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 54.4% 53.6%
Dropout rate 27.8% 22.1%
Transferred out 14.4% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,183
  • Year 2: $90,482
  • Year 3: $93,053
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,578
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $83,771
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $77,569
  • Year 2: $73,446
  • Year 3: $81,572
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,053
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $72,912
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,497
  • Year 2: $60,623
  • Year 3: $71,690
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,138
  • Year 2: $63,749
  • Year 3: $68,655
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,294
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $68,033
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,203
  • Year 2: $61,020
  • Year 3: $64,943
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,998
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $62,591
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,920
  • Year 2: $51,035
  • Year 3: $61,841
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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