Western Kentucky University
#6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,889 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $10,990 B
- 36% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.6 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $23.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $991,808.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Western Kentucky University Matters
Western Kentucky University is a public doctoral / professional university in Bowling Green, KY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 12,155
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Western Kentucky University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 840–1050. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,990 a year after grants and scholarships — 36% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,889 ten years after enrolling — 8% above the typical college, against $22,095 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 53% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 94%, Western Kentucky University is a welcoming option for many students looking to further their education. It's particularly suited for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Social Sciences, and Communications. The emphasis on these programs means that students can expect a curriculum focused on practical skills and real-world application, which often resonates well with aspiring professionals.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the average earnings for alumni a decade out stand at $43,889. This figure gives us a glimpse into the potential financial outcomes for graduates. While the graduation rate is 55%, it suggests that many students do find their stride and navigate their careers successfully. Affordability is also a key factor, with a net price of $10,990 after aid, making it a reasonable investment in education for many families.
On the practical side, the median debt for graduates is $22,095, which is manageable in the context of average earnings. This financial outlook is crucial as students weigh their options. Those who tend to thrive here often value a supportive community and are motivated to engage in their studies, seeking both academic and personal growth during their time at WKU.
Rankings
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #6 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- #7 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #8 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
- #8 Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky
- #9 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Kentucky University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Kentucky University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Western Kentucky University, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 971. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 971
- SAT Range
- 840–1050
- ACT Range
- 16–21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 67%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,169
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 7,505
- Admitted
- 7,276
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Kentucky University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Kentucky University is $27,000, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,990. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,087 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,095 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,652
- Out-of-State
- $27,000
- Avg Net Price
- $10,990
- Median Debt
- $22,095
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 35%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,087
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,871
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,765
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,653
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Western Kentucky University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Kentucky University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Kentucky University report median earnings of $43,889, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,156
- 8 Years
- $40,920
- 10 Years
- $43,889
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,030)
- 37%
- 100% (1,030)
- 37%
- 100% (1,030)
- 37%
- 100% (1,030)
- 37%
How Western Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Western Kentucky University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Kentucky University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,990/year ($43,960 total). Graduates earn $43,889 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,035,768 in total earnings — a net gain of $991,808 (23.6× your investment). The median debt is $22,095, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $43,960
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,035,768
- Net Return
- $991,808
- ROI Multiple
- 23.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,990
- Median Debt
- $22,095
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Western Kentucky University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Kentucky University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.41%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.41%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $103,393
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,658
Top Programs
The fields Western Kentucky University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $55,844 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $66,873 early-career
- Humanities 9% $40,390 early-career
- Education 6% $42,363 early-career
- Communications 6% $39,438 early-career
- Psychology 5% $28,558 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $50,714 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $30,242 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Kentucky University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Kentucky University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Western Kentucky University, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 971. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Kentucky University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Kentucky University is $27,000, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,990. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,087 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,095 in federal student loans.
Is Western Kentucky University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Kentucky University report median earnings of $43,889, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Western Kentucky University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Kentucky University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.41%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Kentucky University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Kentucky University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Kentucky University.
- Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY · Close peer50% grad $45,795 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC · Close peer57% grad $48,160 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM · Close peer54% grad $39,067 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM · Close peer54% grad $44,792 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN · Close peer52% grad $44,859 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Close peer48% grad $42,062 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Kentucky University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Kentucky University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note