Western Kentucky University (WKU) vs Mankato State
Western Kentucky University (WKU) and Minnesota State University-Mankato (MSU-M) are two public universities with distinct characteristics. WKU, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to MSU-M's 79%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at WKU including nursing, business, and education, while MSU-M excels in business, engineering, and health sciences. WKU's student body is slightly larger, with over 20,000 students, while MSU-M has a more intimate community of around 14,000 students. WKU boasts a higher graduation rate (60%) than MSU-M's 53%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions. Explore the table to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Minnesota State University-Mankato |
![]() Western Kentucky University |
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Overview |
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Location | Mankato, Minnesota | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 75.0% | 73.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 69.5% | 98.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$65
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | 54.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,859 | 7,255 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,850 | 7,145 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,113 | 2,832 |
Yield rate | 30.8% | 39.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | 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:
$20,558
Out of state:
$29,612
|
In state:
$27,895
Out of state:
$43,903
|
Average net price | $15,832 | $12,395 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,072
Out of state:
$17,126
|
In state:
$10,992
Out of state:
$27,000
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,443
Meal plan:
$2,755
|
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) |
57.0%
Average amount $5,502 |
98.0%
Average amount $9,576 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $5,516 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,128 |
Students taking out private loans |
19.0%
Average amount $12,068 |
5.0%
Average amount $9,983 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
12,620
Men 45.3% Women 54.7% |
14,729
Men 37.8% Women 62.2% |
Graduate students |
1,956
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
2,021
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 8.7% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,789 | 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 |
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Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 51.8% | 53.6% |
Dropout rate | 15.0% | 22.1% |
Transferred out | 31.7% | 22.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor'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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