Western Kentucky University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 12,155 students.
About This School
Western Kentucky University is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Kentucky with approximately 12,155 undergraduate students enrolled. Western Kentucky University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 94%. The average net price after financial aid is $10,990 per year. The graduation rate is 56%, and the typical graduate earns $38,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) 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.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $10,916/year average net price and only $14,702 in median debt at graduation, WKU is genuinely affordable, making it a reasonable choice for cost-conscious students — especially those from Kentucky looking for a traditional campus experience in Bowling Green. The concern worth flagging is the 54% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students who start here don't finish, which is worth asking the school about directly before committing. If you're self-motivated, have a clear plan, and need to keep costs down, this can work — but the outcome data suggests leaning in with a real support strategy from day one.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (12,155 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000
Official Links
Other Schools in Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY · Public
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY · Public
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · Public
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY · Public
Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville, KY · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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