Western Kentucky University (WKU) vs University of West Alabama (UWA)

Western Kentucky University and the University of West Alabama, while both offering quality education, present distinct characteristics that cater to different student preferences. Western Kentucky University boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. In contrast, the University of West Alabama maintains a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. When it comes to popular majors, Western Kentucky University excels in fields like Business, Health Professions, and Education, while the University of West Alabama shines in areas such as Business, Education, and Social Sciences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including graduation rates, student demographics, and additional factors that can help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
University of West Alabama logo

University of West Alabama

Western Kentucky University logo

Western Kentucky University

Overview

Location Livingston, Alabama Bowling Green, Kentucky
Campus setting Rural: Remote 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 63.0% 73.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 74.3% 98.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $30

Graduate: $40
Undergraduate: $45

Graduate: $65
SAT range 880 - 980 N/A
ACT range 17 - 21 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 2.0%
Students submitting ACT score 69.0%
Total number of applicants 1,539 7,255
Total number of admissions given out 1,144 7,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll 351 2,832
Yield rate 30.7% 39.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not 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: $22,911

Out of state: $32,011
In state: $27,895

Out of state: $43,903
Average net price $15,435 $12,395
Tuition
In state: $9,100

Out of state: $18,200
In state: $10,992

Out of state: $27,000
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,760

Meal plan: $2,834
Room/dormitory: $6,744

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

89.0%
Average amount $7,129
98.0%
Average amount $9,576
Students receiving federal student loan 65.0%
Average amount $5,418
47.0%
Average amount $5,128
Students taking out private loans 3.0%
Average amount $8,357
5.0%
Average amount $9,983

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,322
Men 30.6% Women 69.4%
14,729
Men 37.8% Women 62.2%
Graduate students 3,272
Men 20.0% Women 80.0%
2,021
Men 34.1% Women 65.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 2.0% 1.1%
Campus local/setting Rural: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,019 4,942
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Tennessee Indiana Illinois Ohio

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 14:1 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 39.1% 53.6%
Dropout rate 21.5% 22.1%
Transferred out 36.0% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,363
  • Year 2: $61,681
  • Year 3: $64,667
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,130
  • Year 2: $53,942
  • Year 3: $55,799
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,682
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $54,452
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,975
  • Year 2: $48,510
  • Year 3: $51,622
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,470
  • Year 2: $46,380
  • Year 3: $48,647
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,701
  • Year 2: $46,261
  • Year 3: $47,958
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,803
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $47,734
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,054
  • Year 3: $35,960
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,711
  • Year 3: N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,983
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • 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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