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Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · City · 12,155 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$10,990
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
55%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$43,889
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
94%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Perched atop "The Hill" in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is best known for its nationally acclaimed School of Media & Journalism—especially its powerhouse photojournalism program—alongside robust programs in nursing, education, and business. The university distinguishes itself through its globally recognized research in karst topography and cave systems, as well as hosting the prestigious Gatton Academy for high-achieving STEM students. Campus life is characterized by deep-seated Hilltopper traditions, energetic Division I athletics centered around the iconic Big Red mascot, and an engaging, close-knit community embedded in a thriving college town.

Wikipedia:Western Kentucky University (WKU) known as The Hill, is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. It was founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a few decades earlier. It operates regional campuses in Glasgow, Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, and Owensboro. The main campus sits atop a hill overlooking the Barren River valley.

Location
Bowling Green, KY, 42101-1000 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BNA · Nashville
61 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$11,652$27,000
Housing & food (on campus)$12,582$12,582
Books & supplies$1,000$1,000
Cost of attendance$24,188$37,219
Average net price$10,990Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$27,000
In-state: $11,652
Housing & food (on campus)$12,582
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$37,219
In-state: $24,188
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $10,990
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.wku.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2025-26
Western Kentucky University’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$27,000
Housing$6,090
Food$3,842
Books & supplies$576
Total published by the school$37,219
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$7,087
$30–48k
$6,871
$48–75k
$9,765
$75–110k
$14,049
$110k+
$17,653
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
55%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
44%
Back for yr 2
78%
Transferred
24%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
53% graduated · 24% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 22% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$38,156
10 yrs after entry$43,889
Debt
Median at graduation$22,095
Monthly payment$234
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$27k
90th percentile$39,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
94%
Test policy
Required
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
971
R 420–530 · M 420–520
SAT middle 50%: 840–1050
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Western Kentucky University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
19 : 1
Pell grant
30%
First-gen
36%
Family income
$41,838
Independent
21%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
9%
Race & ethnicity
White
74%
Hispanic
7%
Black
9%
Asian
3%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$38,156
After 10 yrs
$43,889
Business Administration, Management and Operations182
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing169
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities151
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods131
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness123
Psychology, General122
Marketing86
Criminology80
Social Work72
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication68
Agriculture, General66
Biology, General66
Finance and Financial Management Services66
Accounting and Related Services56
Computer and Information Sciences, General53
Health and Medical Administrative Services50
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$19M
Full-time faculty
67%
Faculty salary
$8,169/mo
Teaching spend
$9,271
per student
Federal loans
35%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
Research college or university
$11M research spending · 13 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Western Kentucky University is the right fit for you?

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