WKU Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Bowling Green, KY
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#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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WKU Admission Overview

WKU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year WKU admitted 93.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (B+) and SAT 840-1050 / ACT 16-21. WKU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WKU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WKU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

93.9%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The WKU acceptance rate is 93.9%. Last year, 9,237 of 9,840 applicants were admitted. That is the 21st lowest acceptance rate in Kentucky.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into WKU and can you get accepted?

WKU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Western Kentucky University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WKU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.42

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.42

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at WKU typically have around a 3.42 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. WKU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #16 in Kentucky for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

WKU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

840-1050

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 420
Math 420
Composite 840

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 530
Math 520
Composite 1050

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at WKU typically score around a 950 SAT (middle 50% 840–1050) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 31st percentile nationally. WKU ranks #22 in the state of Kentucky for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 840 to 1050

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

WKU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 950 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Western Kentucky University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1050+	Above 75th	>97%
950 to 1050	Avg +	94%-97%
840 to 950	Avg -	89%-94%
Below 840	Below mid-50	<89%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WKU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

16-21

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 15
Math 15
Composite 16

75th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 18
Composite 21

Average ACT

Incoming testers at WKU typically have around a 18 ACT (mid-50 16–21) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 38th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. WKU places #23 among colleges in Kentucky for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 16 to 21

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to WKU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 18.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Western Kentucky University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
21+	Above 75th	>97%
18 to 21	Avg +	94%-97%
16 to 18	Avg -	90%-94%
Below 16	Below mid-50	<90%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the WKU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Western Kentucky University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	6,042	3,622	9,840
Accepted	5,714	3,357	9,237
Acceptance Rate	95%	93%	94%
Enrolled	1,666	1,067	2,788
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	29%	32%	30%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Western Kentucky University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Western Kentucky University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

335

Applicants have 335 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Western Kentucky University is $50.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Western Kentucky University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

WKU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 93.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (840-1050); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025