Admit rate has ranged 60%–69% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC) is a small, accessible liberal arts college in Owensboro, KY, where two-thirds of applicants get in—but those who enroll find tight-knit academics (13:1 student-faculty ratio) and surprisingly strong outcomes, with 88% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months. Its 60+ programs lean practical, with business, criminal justice, and zoology topping the majors list, and campus life thrives on student organizations and Division II athletics.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
842
In-state tuition
$34,673
Out-of-state tuition
$34,673
Athletics
NCAA Division II (GMAC)
Top Majors
Business, Criminal Justice, Zoology
Campus Housing
55% of students
Acceptance Rate
62.4%-71.6%
Career Outcomes Rate
88%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
38%
Median Salary 6 Years Post-Grad
$35,895
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,747
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.7×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
47%
First-year retention
53%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
57%
Pell (lower-income) share
63%
First-generation share
38%
Endowment / student
$44,645
Financial health
1.5 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business/Commerce, General$28,236
Criminal Justice and Corrections$25,580
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
31°F
Annual rain
48.4"
Annual snow
6.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
20
Scholarly works
148
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.4%
Bottom → top quintile
17%
From bottom quintile
9%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Kentucky Wesleyan College?
Kentucky Wesleyan College's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Owensboro, KY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Kentucky Wesleyan College?
Admitted students at Kentucky Wesleyan College typically score 890–1130 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Kentucky Wesleyan College cost?
At Kentucky Wesleyan College, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,131 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Kentucky Wesleyan College?
Kentucky Wesleyan College enrolls approximately 842 undergraduate students.
Where is Kentucky Wesleyan College located?
Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY.
Admissions
Kentucky Wesleyan College is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 62.4% to 71.6% across recent years, per sources like CollegeFactual and AcceptanceRate.com. The middle 50% of admitted students have ACT scores between 12 and 24, though scoring above a 25 ACT or 1210 SAT nearly guarantees admission. Average admitted GPA data isn't consistently reported, but PrepScholar notes the school's accessibility compared to more competitive institutions. KWC doesn't practice open admissions but maintains a welcoming threshold, admitting a majority of applicants who meet basic requirements.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and over 60 programs, KWC emphasizes hands-on learning in fields like business (the most popular major, awarding about 26 degrees annually), criminal justice, and zoology. The college offers 15 online degrees and certificates alongside traditional programs, including niche options like Animation and American Civics and Civilization. US News notes that general studies, criminal justice, and zoology/animal biology are among the top majors, reflecting a blend of liberal arts and career-focused tracks. Small class sizes are a selling point, with the college touting 'fewer classes, deeper learning' in its academic branding.
Campus life at KWC balances Division II athletics (the Panthers compete in the GMAC conference) with active student organizations that the college calls 'the heartbeat of campus.' About 55% of students live on campus in college-affiliated housing, creating a residential community bolstered by events and Greek life. Niche and US News highlight a range of activities, from academic clubs to service and faith-based groups, though specifics about the number of organizations aren't detailed in available sources. The Student Life team actively coordinates involvement opportunities, suggesting a structured approach to fostering engagement beyond the classroom.
KWC reports strong post-graduation results: 88% of 2025 graduates were employed, in graduate school, or both within six months, with 91% working in their field of study. The four-year graduation rate sits at 38%, per Data USA, while US News notes a median salary of $35,895 six years after graduation—comparable to many regional public universities. The college has earned recognition from U.S. News for outcomes measures, though specific ranking positions aren't cited in available sources. Notably, these employment figures outpace the national average for small private colleges, suggesting effective career preparation despite the institution's modest selectivity.
Tuition and fees at KWC are partially offset by robust financial aid, with the average student receiving $19,062 in scholarships and grants—bringing the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $20,867 annually, per College Board data. The college emphasizes its 'generous scholarships' and offers a net price calculator to estimate individualized costs. While total sticker prices aren't detailed in the provided sources, the significant aid packages suggest a commitment to affordability for its predominantly regional student body. Federal work-study and loans are also part of the aid ecosystem, though specific percentages of students receiving each type of assistance aren't cited.
Kentucky Wesleyan carves its niche by pairing accessibility (its 60%+ Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. welcomes students who might overlook more selective liberal arts colleges) with outcomes that defy expectations—88% career placement is remarkable for a school of its profile. The curriculum strikes a careful balance, offering everything from animation to zoology while maintaining small classes that foster mentorship. Its Division II athletics and active student organizations provide a classic college experience in Owensboro, a midsize city that offers more amenities than typical rural campuses. For students seeking personal attention and career-ready degrees without cutthroat admissions, KWC delivers a pragmatic alternative to both massive state schools and elite private colleges.
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