Academic Comparison between Rice and WKU

Rice University and Western Kentucky University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Rice is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Houston, TX and WKU is a four-year, public school located in Bowling Green, KY.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Rice is a private (not-for-profit) and WKU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Rice has more expensive tuition & fees ($61,247) than WKU ($27,000).
  • It is harder to admit to Rice than WKU.
  • Rice has a higher submitted SAT score (1,550) than WKU (930).
  • Rice has higher submitted ACT score (35) than WKU (18).
  • WKU has more students with 16,291 students while Rice has 8,961 students.
  • Rice has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while WKU's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Rice has more full-time faculties with 779 faculties while WKU has 637 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Rice Universityvs.Western Kentucky University
Houston, TexasLocationBowling Green, Kentucky
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
$61,2472025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$11,652
Out-Of-State$27,000
61%% Receiving Financial Aid87%
$54,440Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,681
8.00 %Acceptance Rates93.87 %
44.20 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)30.18 %
1,550SAT Score930
35ACT Score18
95 %Graduation Rate56 %
-Transfer-out Rate2 %
97 %Retention Rate78 %
8,961Student Population16,291
779Number of Faculties637
6 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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