Head-to-head · 2026
Centre College vs Western Kentucky University
Compare average net price ($20,781 at Centre College; $10,990 at Western Kentucky University), ROI score (7.97 vs 9.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($66,240 vs $43,889), and admissions selectivity (54.4% acceptance at Centre College; 93.9% at Western Kentucky University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Centre College | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.97 | 9.98 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,781 | $10,990 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $83,124 | $43,960 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $52,820 | $11,652 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $52,820 | $27,000 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $66,240 ✓ | $43,889 |
| Acceptance rate | 54.4% | 93.9% |
| Graduation rate | 80.7% ✓ | 55.6% |
| Retention rate | 87.5% ✓ | 78.3% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $22,095 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,400 | 12,155 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1352 | 971 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Centre College | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,364 | $7,087 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,388 | $6,871 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,847 | $9,765 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,920 | $14,049 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,571 | $17,653 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Centre College | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15.1% | 1.1% |
| Psychology, General | 7.4% | 3.2% |
| Biology, General | 6.6% | 2.7% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 6.3% | 0.9% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6.6% | 0.3% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.7% | 0.9% |
| History | 5.4% | 0.7% |
| Computer Science | 4.6% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Kentucky University reports the lower average net price by $9,791 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $39,164 difference over four years ($43,960 vs $83,124).
Centre College reports $22,351 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,240 vs $43,889). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 87.5% at Centre College and 78.3% at Western Kentucky University. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $22,095, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Centre College vs Western Kentucky University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Kentucky University is cheaper — average net price $10,990 per year vs $20,781 at Centre College. The annual difference of $9,791 adds up to about $39,164 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Centre College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,240 vs $43,889 at Western Kentucky University. The gap in the federal data is $22,351. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Centre College is more selective at 54.4% acceptance vs 93.9% at Western Kentucky University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.