Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
School Background
2022 Undergraduate Enrollment: 12,526
Graduate Enrollment: 2,021
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Highest degree awarded:
Graduate
Religious Affiliation:
None
Campus Details
Small City (<100k)
Four-year, large, primarily residential
//
full-time, inclusive, lower transfer-in
Applicant and Admittance Traits
2022 Admission Rate: 98.48%
Male/Female: 40% / 60% (2017)
First generation college students: 35.7% (2017)
Percentage of students who are married when enrolled: 8.3% (2017)
Percentage of students who are veterans: 0.2% (2016)
Test scores for admission: Recommended
Appliants applying to 2+ schools: 60.6% (2017)
Appliants applying to 3+ schools: 32.1% (2017)
Appliants applying to 4+ schools: 19.8% (2017)
Appliants applying to 5+ schools: 12.8% (2017)
Ethnicity Information
White: 77.1%
Black: 9.3%
Hispanic: 5.1%
Asian: 2.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.2%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1%
2+ races: 3.9%
Non-resident alien: 1.0%
Unknown race: 0.7%
Black: 9.3%
Hispanic: 5.1%
Asian: 2.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.2%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1%
2+ races: 3.9%
Non-resident alien: 1.0%
Unknown race: 0.7%
Costs & Fees
2022 Average Tuition & Fees (Room/Board/Books): $22,140
In-State tuition: $10,992Out-of-State tuition: $27,000
Estimated books and supplies: $1,000 (2022)
Estimated on-campus room & board: $10,708 (2022)
Estimated on-campus other fees: $2,115 (2022)
Estimated off-campus room & board: $10,708 (2022)
Estimated off-campus other fees: $2,115 (2022)
Average Family Income: $63,691 (2017)
Median Family Income: $41,838 (2017)
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grant: 29.6%Percentage of students with Federal Loans: 38.8%
Median federal loan debt at graduation: $22,095 (2021)
Median federal loan payment: $234 (2021)
| Household Income | Net Cost |
|---|---|
| 0-$30k | $11,303 |
| $30k-48k | $16,192 |
| $48k-75k | $15,852 |
| $75k-110k | $15,859 |
| $110k+ | $16,059 |
Graduate Outcomes & Job Placements
4-year graduation rate: 40%6-year graduation rate: 54%
1 year post-graduation workforce participation: 96.5% (2020)
Loans
Median federal debt for graduates: $22,095 (2021)Median federal debt for non-graduates: $9,343 (2021)
Median federal debt for first-generation graduates: $14,611 (2021)
Median federal debt for Pell grant recipient graduates: $15,500 (2021)
Ability to Repay Loans
| Graduates, % of Loans in Repayment (Non-delinquent/default) |
Percentage |
|---|---|
| @1 Year | 60.2% (2015) |
| @3 year | 65.2% (2017) |
| @5 year | 74.3% (2017) |
1-year Graduate % of Loans being Repaid (Non-delinquent/default) - Pell Grant Recipients: 33.2% (2015)
1-year Graduate % of Loans being Repaid - 1st Generation Attendees: 37.8% (2015)
Earnings Power
Median earnings, 1 year post graduation: $36,728 (2020)Median earnings, 4 years post graduation: $42,990 (2020)
Popular Majors
| Type of Degree | Major | 2022 Graduates | Median Federal Debt | Median Monthly Payment | 1yr Median Earnings (monthly gross) | 4yr Median Earnings (monthly gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Information Science/Studies. | 2 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Agriculture, General. | 94 | $23,656 | $239 | $36,357 ($3,030) | $39,224 ($3,269) |
| Master's Degree | Agriculture, General. | 20 | ||||
| Associate's Degree | Agricultural Production Operations. | 4 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Food Science and Technology. | 3 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Architectural Sciences and Technology. | 26 | $26,823 | $252 | $44,710 ($3,726) | $59,662 ($4,972) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Area Studies. | 3 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | 1 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | 4 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | 5 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | 7 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Communication and Media Studies. | 35 | $23,500 | $244 | $31,475 ($2,623) | $41,080 ($3,423) |
| Master's Degree | Communication and Media Studies. | 7 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Journalism. | 76 | $25,500 | $246 | $31,126 ($2,594) | $40,336 ($3,361) |
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | 6 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | 23 | $28,794 | $287 | $19,211 ($1,601) | $40,098 ($3,342) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | 86 | $25,000 | $265 | $32,506 ($2,709) | $46,295 ($3,858) |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | 3 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Criminology. | 1 | ||||
| Associate's Degree | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | 70 | $16,000 | $162 | $29,006 ($2,417) | $32,276 ($2,690) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | 239 | $28,892 | $276 | $33,088 ($2,757) | $33,939 ($2,828) |
| Master's Degree | Library Science and Administration. | 24 | $201 | $47,861 ($3,988) | $50,219 ($4,185) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Biology, General. | 102 | $22,500 | $221 | $27,026 ($2,252) | $40,022 ($3,335) |
| Master's Degree | Biology, General. | 15 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Biology, General. | 1 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | 8 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Mathematics. | 20 | $37,654 ($3,138) | |||
| Master's Degree | Mathematics. | 13 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Statistics. | 1 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Biological and Physical Sciences. | 5 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Gerontology. | 1 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. | 11 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Sustainability Studies. | 1 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | 6 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. | 30 | $26,000 | $264 | $24,664 ($2,055) | $40,846 ($3,404) |
| Master's Degree | Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. | 66 | $466 | $40,049 ($3,337) | $50,707 ($4,226) | |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. | 18 | $48,866 ($4,072) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Criminology. | 62 | $26,000 | $274 | $27,320 ($2,277) | $40,742 ($3,395) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | 106 | $24,593 | $242 | $25,768 ($2,147) | $42,555 ($3,546) |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | 20 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Religion/Religious Studies. | 7 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Religion/Religious Studies. | 1 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Physical Sciences. | 4 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. | 7 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Chemistry. | 28 | $47,308 ($3,942) | |||
| Master's Degree | Chemistry. | 9 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | 5 | $45,349 ($3,779) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Physics. | 5 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Psychology, General. | 149 | $24,846 | $237 | $25,407 ($2,117) | $32,783 ($2,732) |
| Master's Degree | Psychology, General. | 14 | $49,882 ($4,157) | |||
| Master's Degree | Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | 31 | $466 | $42,449 ($3,537) | $48,693 ($4,058) | |
| First Professional Degree | Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | 5 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Community Organization and Advocacy. | 9 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Public Administration. | 9 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Social Work. | 73 | $26,000 | $231 | $32,501 ($2,708) | $35,206 ($2,934) |
| Master's Degree | Social Work. | 49 | $280 | $40,343 ($3,362) | $44,446 ($3,704) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Social Sciences, General. | 14 | $41,015 ($3,418) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Anthropology. | 21 | $21,366 ($1,781) | $29,006 ($2,417) | ||
| Bachelor's Degree | Health and Medical Administrative Services. | 67 | $27,000 | $286 | $39,334 ($3,278) | $42,712 ($3,559) |
| Master's Degree | Health and Medical Administrative Services. | 19 | $67,843 ($5,654) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | 3 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | 1 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | 2 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Public Health. | 20 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Public Health. | 21 | $23,543 | $234 | $31,303 ($2,609) | $43,425 ($3,619) |
| Master's Degree | Public Health. | 23 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Public Health. | 9 | ||||
| First Professional Degree | Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | 31 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Medical Illustration and Informatics. | 7 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | 18 | ||||
| Associate's Degree | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | 105 | $21,000 | $121 | $56,472 ($4,706) | $59,210 ($4,934) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | 190 | $26,330 | $240 | $60,062 ($5,005) | $61,606 ($5,134) |
| Master's Degree | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | 16 | $96,708 ($8,059) | $96,217 ($8,018) | ||
| First Professional Degree | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | 24 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | 12 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | 58 | ||||
| Associate's Degree | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | 10 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Education, General. | 4 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Civil Engineering. | 37 | $22,100 | $225 | $59,012 ($4,918) | $64,510 ($5,376) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | 17 | $69,247 ($5,771) | $83,980 ($6,998) | ||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | 15 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Mechanical Engineering. | 50 | $27,000 | $283 | $66,937 ($5,578) | $70,968 ($5,914) |
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | 48 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | 33 | $59,147 ($4,929) | $72,494 ($6,041) | ||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | 2 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Construction Engineering Technologies. | 40 | $29,000 | $281 | $55,973 ($4,664) | $75,677 ($6,306) |
| Bachelor's Degree | East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 13 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 2 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 33 | $26,856 ($2,238) | $38,627 ($3,219) | ||
| Bachelor's Degree | Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 17 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | 18 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | 6 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | 2 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Apparel and Textiles. | 40 | $27,000 | $286 | $28,910 ($2,409) | |
| Associate's Degree | Legal Support Services. | 2 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Legal Support Services. | 14 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | English Language and Literature, General. | 43 | $23,232 | $217 | $25,159 ($2,097) | $36,801 ($3,067) |
| Master's Degree | English Language and Literature, General. | 10 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | 6 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | English Language and Literature/Letters, Other. | 8 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Economics. | 45 | $19,500 | $40,883 ($3,407) | $55,446 ($4,621) | |
| Master's Degree | Economics. | 8 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Economics. | 6 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Geography and Cartography. | 10 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Geography and Cartography. | 9 | $48,077 ($4,006) | |||
| Master's Degree | Geography and Cartography. | 10 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Geography and Cartography. | 4 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | International Relations and National Security Studies. | 20 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | 11 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Political Science and Government. | 38 | $20,500 | $217 | $31,647 ($2,637) | $43,807 ($3,651) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Sociology. | 46 | $26,529 | $276 | $27,043 ($2,254) | $36,863 ($3,072) |
| Master's Degree | Sociology. | 4 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Dance. | 9 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | 19 | $21,821 | $228 | $19,086 ($1,591) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Fine and Studio Arts. | 60 | $27,000 | $286 | $28,060 ($2,338) | $23,243 ($1,937) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Music. | 34 | $24,317 | $265 | $27,312 ($2,276) | $40,693 ($3,391) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | 39 | $25,000 | $207 | $37,453 ($3,121) | $40,769 ($3,397) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | 36 | $19,500 | $207 | $48,582 ($4,049) | |
| Master's Degree | Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | 71 | $486 | $48,056 ($4,005) | $58,392 ($4,866) | |
| Associate's Degree | Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | 6 | $45,940 ($3,828) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | 28 | $23,199 | $223 | $45,998 ($3,833) | $47,624 ($3,969) |
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Health and Medical Administrative Services. | 19 | $51,167 ($4,264) | |||
| Associate's Degree | Health and Medical Administrative Services. | 3 | $39,849 ($3,321) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | 233 | $25,320 | $221 | $42,719 ($3,560) | $47,395 ($3,950) |
| Master's Degree | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | 154 | $287 | $54,955 ($4,580) | $72,036 ($6,003) | |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | 23 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Accounting and Related Services. | 64 | $25,000 | $241 | $41,748 ($3,479) | $58,675 ($4,890) |
| Master's Degree | Accounting and Related Services. | 26 | $54,535 ($4,545) | |||
| Bachelor's Degree | Business/Managerial Economics. | 10 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Finance and Financial Management Services. | 20 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Finance and Financial Management Services. | 52 | $19,500 | $207 | $42,121 ($3,510) | $56,321 ($4,693) |
| Bachelor's Degree | Hospitality Administration/Management. | 46 | $24,883 | $249 | $27,407 ($2,284) | $34,406 ($2,867) |
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Human Resources Management and Services. | 11 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | International Business. | 17 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Management Information Systems and Services. | 25 | $44,922 ($3,744) | $54,537 ($4,545) | ||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | 77 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | 28 | $21,500 | $228 | $44,159 ($3,680) | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Marketing. | 90 | $23,250 | $228 | $40,768 ($3,397) | $53,494 ($4,458) |
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 8 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 5 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | History. | 39 | $22,965 | $224 | $23,568 ($1,964) | $38,121 ($3,177) |
| Master's Degree | History. | 4 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | 79 | $27,000 | $200 | $45,455 ($3,788) | $54,925 ($4,577) |
| Master's Degree | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | 7 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Curriculum and Instruction. | 5 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Educational Administration and Supervision. | 1 | ||||
| Doctoral Degree | Educational Administration and Supervision. | 12 | ||||
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Educational/Instructional Media Design. | 4 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Educational/Instructional Media Design. | 3 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Special Education and Teaching. | 33 | $27,000 | $276 | $34,752 ($2,896) | |
| Master's Degree | Special Education and Teaching. | 20 | $246 | $41,666 ($3,472) | $42,570 ($3,548) | |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Special Education and Teaching. | 1 | ||||
| Master's Degree | Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | 14 | $39,192 ($3,266) | $48,549 ($4,046) | ||
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | 5 | ||||
| Associate's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | 3 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | 131 | $25,000 | $235 | $34,504 ($2,875) | $35,506 ($2,959) |
| Master's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | 49 | $344 | $41,669 ($3,472) | $44,217 ($3,685) | |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | 7 | ||||
| Associate's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | 5 | ||||
| Bachelor's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | 45 | $30,375 | $285 | $33,351 ($2,779) | $38,071 ($3,173) |
| Master's Degree | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | 30 | $288 | $40,940 ($3,412) |
Campus Resources
Average faculty salary: $68,922Full time faculty: 70%
Undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio: 18.0
School's endowment start of year: $16,289,113 (2022)
School's endowment end of year: $17,668,486 (2022)