Western Kentucky University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Western Kentucky University is a public research university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with about 12,155 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 93.87% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $43,889 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,652
- 2024 Average Net Price: $10,990 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 93.87% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 12,155 91.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 55.56%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 35.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 11.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 67.4%
- Average SAT Score: 971
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,700
- Applicants (IPEDS): 7,720
- Room & Board: $12,582 annual estimate
Western Kentucky University: what the data shows
Common questions about Western Kentucky University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Western Kentucky University?
Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (ZIP 42101-1000).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Western Kentucky University public or private?
Western Kentucky University is a Public institution.
How much does Western Kentucky University cost?
Published tuition: $11,652 in-state, $27,000 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $10,990.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $7,087 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,871 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,765 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $14,049 |
| $110,001+ | $17,653 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $46,608.
How hard is it to get into Western Kentucky University?
Admission rate: 93.87%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 971.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Western Kentucky University?
Total enrollment: 12,155 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 16,700 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,140 students.
About 91% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Western Kentucky University?
150%-time completion rate: 55.56%.
First-year retention: 78.3%.
What do graduates of Western Kentucky University earn?
Median earnings: $38,156 six years after entry; $43,889 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,095.
30.48% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Western Kentucky University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (273 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (251 completions)
- General Studies (187 completions)
- Organizational Leadership (185 completions)
- Psychology, General (164 completions)
- Business Analytics (155 completions)
- Social Work (144 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (142 completions)
- Criminology (118 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (111 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Western Kentucky University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 93.87%; completion rate 55.56%; median earnings $43,889 at 10 years; net price $10,990. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,652
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University was $11,652.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$10,990
2024 Value
In 2024 Western Kentucky University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $10,990.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$43,960 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$10,990 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$46,608 4-Year In-State Tuition
$108,000 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,582 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$25,234 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$100,936 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Western Kentucky University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
30.48% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
34.67% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Western Kentucky University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Western Kentucky University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,722 | $22,248 | $10,470 |
| 2014 | $9,140 | $23,352 | $11,112 |
| 2015 | $9,482 | $24,132 | $10,948 |
| 2016 | $9,912 | $24,792 | $11,578 |
| 2017 | $10,202 | $25,512 | $11,850 |
| 2018 | $10,512 | $26,280 | $12,776 |
| 2019 | $10,802 | $26,496 | $11,962 |
| 2020 | $10,802 | $26,496 | $12,522 |
| 2021 | $10,992 | $27,000 | $11,691 |
| 2022 | $11,112 | $27,000 | $12,329 |
| 2023 | $11,436 | $27,000 | $10,916 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
93.87% Acceptance Rate
7,720 Total Applicants
7,492 Students Admitted
2,822 First-Time Students Enrolled
37.67% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 971
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Western Kentucky University reported total enrollment of about 12,155 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 39% male and 61% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (74.3%), Black or African American (9.0%), and Hispanic or Latino (6.5%). About 30.48% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Western Kentucky University in 2024 is 12,155 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 16,700 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,140 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
78.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 74.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
44.23% 100% Completion Time
55.56% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 44.23% of students graduating from Western Kentucky University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 9% male / 91% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 59% male / 41% female
- General Studies: 43% male / 57% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Western Kentucky University.
Return on Investment
$22,095 Median Student Debt
$43,889 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
50.34% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
898.38% Return on Investment
5.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Western Kentucky University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 153 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 273 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 251 completions
3. General Studies: 187 completions
4. Organizational Leadership: 185 completions
5. Psychology, General: 164 completions
6. Business Analytics: 155 completions
7. Social Work: 144 completions
8. Elementary Education and Teaching: 142 completions
9. Criminology: 118 completions
Most popular programs at Western Kentucky University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Western Kentucky University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Western Kentucky University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 67.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,169
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,271
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Western Kentucky University is a public institution located in Bowling Green, KY, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, General Studies. Enrollment is approximately 12,155 students. Student body composition includes White (74.3%), Black or African American (9.0%), Hispanic or Latino (6.5%). The admission rate is 93.87%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 971. The 150%-time completion rate is 55.56%. Approximately 30.48% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 153 distinct degree programs, Western Kentucky University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Kentucky University located?
Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY.
What is Western Kentucky University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Western Kentucky University is 93.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 7,720 applicants and 7,492 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Western Kentucky University cost?
Reported tuition is $11,652 and average net price is $10,990 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,582 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Western Kentucky University?
Western Kentucky University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 16,700 students, White (74.3%), Black or African American (9.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Western Kentucky University?
About 35.7% of students at Western Kentucky University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Western Kentucky University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Western Kentucky University reports midpoint SAT about 971.
What do graduates of Western Kentucky University earn?
Median earnings are $38,156 six years after entry and $43,889 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Western Kentucky University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 55.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Western Kentucky University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,095.
Is Western Kentucky University public or private?
Western Kentucky University is a public institution located in Bowling Green, KY.
Is Western Kentucky University an HBCU?
No. Western Kentucky University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Western Kentucky University a tribal college?
No. Western Kentucky University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Kentucky college costs
- Kentucky colleges by ROI
- Bowling Green, Kentucky city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Kentucky
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.