University of South Alabama vs Western Kentucky University (WKU)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of South Alabama (USA) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) offer distinct experiences for prospective students. USA, located in Mobile, Alabama, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to WKU's 79% in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with USA excelling in fields like nursing, engineering, and business, while WKU shines in areas such as education, health professions, and business. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of South Alabama |
![]() Western Kentucky University |
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Overview |
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Location | Mobile, Alabama | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 71.0% | 73.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 70.8% | 98.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$65
|
SAT range | 985 - 1215 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 11,817 | 7,255 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,364 | 7,145 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,778 | 2,832 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,838
Out of state:
$32,094
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In state:
$27,895
Out of state:
$43,903
|
Average net price | $14,984 | $12,395 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,256
Out of state:
$16,512
|
In state:
$10,992
Out of state:
$27,000
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,260
Meal plan:
$3,890
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,744
Meal plan:
$3,964
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $7,774 |
98.0%
Average amount $9,576 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $10,354 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,128 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $12,311 |
5.0%
Average amount $9,983 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,833
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
14,729
Men 37.8% Women 62.2% |
Graduate students |
5,159
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
2,021
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 24.3% | N/A |
International students | 1.5% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,331 | 4,942 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Alabama Mississippi Florida Illinois Louisiana | Tennessee Indiana Illinois Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.4% | 53.6% |
Dropout rate | 19.5% | 22.1% |
Transferred out | 29.5% | 22.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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