Lamar vs Western Kentucky
What each college publishes, side by side. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt come from federal data.
C+Compass Score: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Lamar UniversityBeaumont, TXCompass Score: SolidB-Compass Score: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KYCompass Score: Good
At a glance
- Western Kentucky has the higher graduation rate: 56% against 37% at Lamar.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Lamar: $49,652, against $43,889 at Western Kentucky.
- Lamar admits 86% of applicants, and Western Kentucky admits 94%.
Scores
Compass Score
C+Compass Score: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
B-Compass Score: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
Academic Excellence
C+Academic Excellence: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
B-Academic Excellence: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
Value
A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 19%
B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 35%
The college
Category
National universities
National universities
Location
Beaumont, TX
Bowling Green, KY
Setting
City
City
Students
17,473
16,759
Sports
NCAA Division I · Southland Conference
NCAA Division I · Conference USA
Admission
Admission rate
86%
94%
Average SAT
1061
971
ACT middle 50%
18–25
16–21
Outcomes
Graduation rate
37%
56%
First-year retention
62%
78%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$49,652
$43,889
Median debt
$21,250
$22,095
Cost
Average price after aid
$9,366
$10,990
Price after aid, by family income
Up to $30,000
$7,568
$7,087
$30,001–$48,000
$8,261
$6,871
$48,001–$75,000
$8,545
$9,765
$75,001–$110,000
$13,689
$14,049
Over $110,000
$16,292
$17,653
Top majors by graduate earnings
Bachelor's majors
- Electrical engineering $103,037
- Chemical Engineering $101,018
- Mechanical engineering $97,159
- Nursing $93,709
- Industrial Engineering $91,806
- Mechanical engineering $86,624
- Industrial technology $86,033
- Electrical engineering $85,772
- Construction Engineering Technology/Technician $84,057
- Civil engineering $75,732
Compare with another college
The Compass Score and grades are College Compass Guide’s own ratings. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This comparison doesn’t rank the two colleges; the figures are shown as published.