# Western Kentucky University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-kentucky-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Bowling Green, KY
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 12,155
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

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.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 94% |
| SAT Average | 971 |
| ACT Midpoint | N/A |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $11,652 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $27,000 |
| Average Net Price | $10,990 |
| Median Debt | $22,095 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 30% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 35% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $7,087 |
| $30K-$48K | $6,871 |
| $48K-$75K | $9,765 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $17,653 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 55% |
| Retention Rate | 78% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $38,156 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $40,920 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $43,889 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.5x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 140.71% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 1361.1% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 1033.8% |
| Parent Median Income | $76,100 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.49 |
| Friending Bias | 0.00 |
| Volunteering Rate | 7.4% |
| Support Ratio | 0.99 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Business & Marketing | 19% |
| Health Professions | 15% |
| Education | 7% |
| Social Sciences | 6% |
| Communications | 6% |
| Humanities | 6% |
| Psychology | 5% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 5% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 13 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #6 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-kentucky)
- #6 in [Best Master's Programs in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-kentucky)
- #6 in [Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-kentucky)
- #7 in [Best Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-kentucky)
- #7 in [Best Education Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-kentucky)
- #8 in [Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-kentucky)
- #9 in [Best Business Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-kentucky)
- #9 in [Best Biology Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-kentucky)
- #12 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-kentucky)
- #24 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-kentucky)
- #33 in [Most Affordable Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-communications)
- #50 in [Most Affordable Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-arts)
- #50 in [Most Affordable Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-graphic-design)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Western Kentucky University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-kentucky-university