Western Kentucky University (WKU) vs Henderson State

Western Kentucky University and Henderson State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Western Kentucky University, nestled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, boasts a larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Henderson State University, located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. While Western Kentucky University excels in fields like business, education, and nursing, Henderson State University shines in areas such as biological sciences, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
Henderson State University logo

Henderson State University

Western Kentucky University logo

Western Kentucky University

Overview

Location Arkadelphia, Arkansas Bowling Green, Kentucky
Campus setting Town: Distant 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 56.0% 73.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 75.0% 98.5%
Application fees $25
Undergraduate: $45

Graduate: $65
SAT range 978 - 1151 N/A
ACT range 18 - 24 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 6.0%
Students submitting ACT score 90.0%
Total number of applicants 2,377 7,255
Total number of admissions given out 1,783 7,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll 418 2,832
Yield rate 23.4% 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: $26,265

Out of state: $28,473
In state: $27,895

Out of state: $43,903
Average net price $16,233 $12,395
Tuition
In state: $5,880

Out of state: $8,088
In state: $10,992

Out of state: $27,000
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,700

Meal plan: $3,600
Room/dormitory: $6,744

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $9,262
98.0%
Average amount $9,576
Students receiving federal student loan 71.0%
Average amount $5,043
47.0%
Average amount $5,128
Students taking out private loans 3.0%
Average amount $11,456
5.0%
Average amount $9,983

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,228
Men 47.4% Women 52.6%
14,729
Men 37.8% Women 62.2%
Graduate students 691
Men 22.3% Women 77.7%
2,021
Men 34.1% Women 65.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 19.2% N/A
International students 1.5% 1.1%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,061 4,942
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Arkansas Texas Louisiana Missouri Alabama Tennessee Indiana Illinois Ohio

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 14:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 37.2% 53.6%
Dropout rate 36.8% 22.1%
Transferred out 20.6% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $56,726
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,313
  • Year 2: $34,420
  • Year 3: $35,691
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,299
  • Year 2: $25,580
  • Year 3: $26,653
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,587
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,827
  • Year 2: $32,711
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,237
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,967
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,338
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,225
  • Year 2: $30,409
  • Year 3: N/A
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,834
  • Year 2: $28,236
  • 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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