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, Education, Social Sciences
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
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky
- #7 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #8 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
- #9 Best Business 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.
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
- $76,100
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. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 19%
- Health Professions 15%
- Education 7%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Communications 6%
- Humanities 6%
- Psychology 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
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
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM · Close peer54% grad $44,792 earn 95% 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
- 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