Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY, USA

Founded in 1906, Western Kentucky University is a 4-year public institution with campus perched atop a hill. WKU is home to six colleges granting bachelor’s degrees in 101 academic majors and 111 minors. The university also hosts the Colonnade Program, a group of general education core courses designed for all incoming First Year students. In addition to classroom space, the WKU campus includes the Downing Student Union featuring a space for pageants and lectures. 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
98%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionAugust 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
71%
Out-Of-State Students
27%
95%
Submitting ACT
10%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1150
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
16,750
Total Number of Undergrads
14,729
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
45%
20-39 Students
40%
40-99 Students
12%
0
100
31%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
52%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$12,705
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$11,112
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$27,072
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,072
Books and Supplies
$1000

Aid & Grants

0
100
24%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
29%
Average Aid Per Year
$7,987
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
29%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,665
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,361

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
54%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,946
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,250
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$219

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
38%
62%
Student Organizations
256
Size of Town
Small city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
35%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Hilltoppers
School Colors
red and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Conference USA

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Bowling Green
Louisville
Nashville
Owensboro
Lexington
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$38,600

What Students Are Saying

I love WKU. Western Kentucky University is a magnificent school with faculty members dedicated to making sure that us students succeed. This School is definitely preparing me to excel & achieve all of my dreams.
Brooke from Lexington, KY
WKU is an extremely welcoming school. Students and staff are friendly and convey that they really care about my future. From day one, students will feel like WKU is home.
M from Indiana