Western Kentucky University vs Portland State University

Western Kentucky University and Portland State University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Portland State University is more selective with a 90.9% acceptance rate compared to Western Kentucky University's 97.0%. Average SAT scores are 977 and 1125 respectively.

Cost: Western Kentucky University offers a lower average net price at $10,916, which is $2,016 less than Portland State University ($12,932). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Portland State University earn a median salary of $57,906 ten years after enrollment, which is $14,017 more than Western Kentucky University graduates ($43,889).

Graduation: Portland State University leads with a 52.9% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 78.0% vs 74.7%.

Campus Size: Portland State University is the larger campus with 13,619 total students, while Western Kentucky University has 12,267.

Bottom Line: Western Kentucky University wins on affordability while Portland State University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.