Overview
Bowling Green, KY Western Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There are currently 12,149 undergraduates at Western Kentucky and the school’s acceptance rate is 97%. The tuition at Western Kentucky is $11,112 for in-state students and $27,000 for out-of-state.
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$25,448
$29,007
$12,329
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$25,448for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$41,336for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Western Kentucky is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Western Kentucky is $25,448 for in-state students in KY, and $41,336 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Western Kentucky would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Western Kentucky University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Western Kentucky University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Western Kentucky University is 002002.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Pell Grants at Western Kentucky University
37% of students at Western Kentucky University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Western Kentucky University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Western Kentucky students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
97%
Is Western Kentucky test-optional?
Western Kentucky University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Rolling deadline at Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Western Kentucky's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
51%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
20%
20% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
16%
16% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Education
6%
6% of graduates
Social Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
5%
5% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Engineering
3%
3% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
2%
2% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
12,149
Pell Grant 29%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 10%
Undergrad Students Over 25 10%
Percent Male / Female 38% / 62%
Ethnic Diversity at Western Kentucky
77% White
9% Black
5% Hispanic
4% Multiracial
3% Asian / Pacific Islander
1% Unknown
1% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$43,889
Median Debt $22,095
Debt 10 years after graduation $234
Graduation Rate 51%
What is the graduation rate at Western Kentucky University?
51% of students who start at Western Kentucky University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 7% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Western Kentucky University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Western Kentucky University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $43,889. This is $6,502 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Western Kentucky take out in loans?
Graduates of Western Kentucky have to take out a median of $22,095 in federal student loans. This is $8,595 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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