Academic Comparison between WKU and Bellarmine

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

  • WKU is a public and Bellarmine is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Bellarmine has more expensive tuition & fees ($48,770) than WKU ($27,000).
  • It is harder to admit to Bellarmine than WKU.
  • Bellarmine has a higher submitted SAT score (930) than WKU (930).
  • Bellarmine has higher submitted ACT score (18) than WKU (18).
  • WKU has more students with 16,291 students while Bellarmine has 2,886 students.
  • Bellarmine has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while WKU's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • WKU has more full-time faculties with 637 faculties while Bellarmine has 161 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Kentucky Universityvs.Bellarmine University
Bowling Green, KentuckyLocationLouisville, Kentucky
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$11,652
Out-Of-State$27,000
2025 Tuition & Fees$48,770
87%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$9,681Average Amount of Financial Aid$36,123
93.87 %Acceptance Rates86.11 %
30.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.10 %
930SAT Score1,150
18ACT Score25
56 %Graduation Rate64 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate22 %
78 %Retention Rate75 %
16,291Student Population2,886
637Number of Faculties161
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services