Western Kentucky University
PublicBowling Green, KY
Located in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public large school with roughly 12,155 undergraduates. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 94% of applicants get in. Among reported majors, Mechanical Engineering shows the strongest outcomes -- $86,624/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $15,348 more per year in tuition and fees (2.3x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
Western Kentucky University takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
Academic Common Market
Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia can pay in-state tuition for a specific major that no public college in their home state offers. You need admission to that major and approval from your home state's coordinator.
Where do you stand against Western Kentucky University's numbers?
Check your chances hereSee full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Western Kentucky University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Kentucky University's acceptance rate?
Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY admits approximately 94% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Western Kentucky University?
Admitted students at Western Kentucky University typically score between 840–1050 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Western Kentucky University?
Admitted students at Western Kentucky University typically score between 16–21 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Western Kentucky University cost?
Western Kentucky University's total cost of attendance is reported at $24,188 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does Western Kentucky University offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- Western Kentucky University takes part in the Academic Common Market, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at Western Kentucky University?
For 2024-25, Western Kentucky University's published tuition and required fees were $27,000 for out-of-state students and $11,652 for in-state students -- $15,348 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
Does Western Kentucky University require students to live on campus?
No -- Western Kentucky University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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