Western Kentucky University

3/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Bowling Green, KY
0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

16,291

Location Bowling Green, Kentucky
Website wku.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Small City

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Western Kentucky University sits atop a hill overlooking Bowling Green, Kentucky, located approximately 60 miles north of Nashville, Tennessee. The campus, known for its distinctive red sandstone buildings and colonial revival architecture, occupies 200 acres on what was originally known as "The Hill," featuring the iconic Cherry Hall as its centerpiece. Founded in 1906 as a state normal school, WKU has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in journalism, broadcasting, engineering, education, and business. The university maintains a moderately selective admission process and provides housing for students across multiple residence halls throughout the main campus. WKU's athletic programs compete in NCAA Division I as the Hilltoppers within Conference USA, with the university's men's basketball program holding a notable presence in the conference.

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Ratings

WKU is rated within the lower 27% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10.

Overall Rating

3 out of 10
Academics

2 out of 10
Resources

4 out of 10
Outcomes

4 out of 10
Value

2 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Western Kentucky University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 840/1050
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 16/21
GPA 3.42

Acceptance Rate

93.9%

Applications Due Aug 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 30.2%
Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Kentucky Resident Tuition

$11,652

Out of State Resident Tuition

$27,000

Breakdown

Tuition $11,652
Books and Supplies $1,000
Other Fees $0
Room and Board $12,582
Budget for Other Expenses $2,484
Total One Year Cost $27,718

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$37,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

50% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Western Kentucky University are Business, Education, and Health Professions. 16% of students major in Business, 12% in Education, and 11% in Health Professions.