At a glance
Average net price
$10,990
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
55.6%
Admission rate
94%
Undergrad size
12,155
In-state tuition
$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
$27,000
Cost of attendance
$24,188
Median earnings (10y)
$43,889
Admissions
- SAT average
- 971
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 78.3%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
28 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (25%), social sciences (24%), business (19%).
- STEM12%
- Health15%
- Business19%
- Humanities & arts25%
- Social sciences24%
- Trades & services6%
- Business19.1%~2,322 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Health professions14.9%~1,817 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Education7.1%~858 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Social sciences6.4%~775 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication6.0%~735 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts5.5%~675 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology4.9%~594 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~580 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~537 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~462 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~407 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering2.8%~343 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~325 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Computer science2.3%~284 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Agriculture2.0%~238 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~227 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~152 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.2%~148 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.1%~137 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~115 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History0.8%~97 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Architecture0.7%~86 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Legal0.5%~61 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~61 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~47 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Mathematics0.3%~33 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~26 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~15 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 391 | $39,143 | $25,320 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 339 | $56,172 | $26,330 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 321 | $52,607 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 289 | $31,197 | $28,892 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 262 | $32,830 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 240 | $24,666 | $24,846 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 239 | $26,359 | $24,593 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 222 | $39,467 | $23,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate's | 207 | $53,729 | $21,000 |
| Data Analytics. | Undergraduate certificate | 196 | — | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 168 | $22,896 | $22,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master's | 166 | $45,606 | — |
| Criminology. | Bachelor's | 163 | $27,074 | $26,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 159 | $31,481 | $26,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 155 | $31,267 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 144 | $39,676 | $19,500 |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor's | 139 | $32,377 | $23,656 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 130 | $39,657 | $25,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 122 | $35,676 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 113 | $50,723 | $27,000 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 108 | $27,337 | $25,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 108 | $24,392 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 106 | $39,477 | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 102 | $29,337 | $25,000 |
| Social Work. | Master's | 101 | $37,187 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 89 | $25,040 | $16,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Undergraduate certificate | 88 | — | — |
| Apparel and Textiles. | Bachelor's | 85 | $26,816 | $27,000 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | Bachelor's | 80 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 79 | $65,193 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 77 | $40,164 | — |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor's | 77 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 76 | $53,704 | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Undergraduate certificate | 75 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 75 | $29,110 | $20,500 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 75 | $26,618 | $26,529 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Undergraduate certificate | 73 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 72 | $29,036 | $30,375 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management. | Master's | 71 | $42,006 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 69 | — | $19,500 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a large institution located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 12,155 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Health professions, Education.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Western Kentucky University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $10,990 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $11,652 for in-state students and $27,000 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $24,188 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 55.6%, a above-average completion outcome. 78.3% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $43,889 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Western Kentucky University confers degrees and certificates across 28 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Health professions, Education. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (25% of credentials), social sciences (24% of credentials), business (19% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Western Kentucky University accepts 94% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 971.
Location & campus
Set in Bowling Green, Kentucky (city), Western Kentucky University draws students from across Kentucky and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Western Kentucky University
Q.How much does Western Kentucky University cost?
The average net price at Western Kentucky University is $10,990 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $24,188.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Western Kentucky University?
Western Kentucky University has a 6-year graduation rate of 55.6% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Western Kentucky University?
Western Kentucky University admits 94% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Western Kentucky University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Western Kentucky University graduate earns $43,889 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Western Kentucky University?
Published tuition is $11,652 in-state and $27,000 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Western Kentucky University located?
Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky (ZIP 42101).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Western Kentucky University at their official website.