Western Kentucky University

www.wku.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$11,436

2.92% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$12,054

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

0.0262%

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

97%

7,720 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

16,759

72% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

56.1%

1,576 Graduates

About

Western Kentucky University is a higher education institution located in Warren County, KY. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Kentucky University were Registered Nursing (169 degrees awarded), General Studies (151 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (131 degrees).

In 2023, 4,154 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Kentucky University. 62.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,287 degrees), 9.72 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (338 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $11,436, which is $−13,139 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Western Kentucky University was 0.0262%, corresponding to 1 out of the 3,821 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $11,436, which is $13,139 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,054.

In 2023, 86% of undergraduate students attending Western Kentucky University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 36% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$11,436

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University was $11,436. The cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University is $−13,139 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Kentucky University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$12,054

2023 Value

4.52%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Western Kentucky University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,054. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Western Kentucky University grew by 4.52%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,072

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Kentucky University was of $11,072 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 3.4% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

86%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

36%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

86% of undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a growth of 1.18% with respect to 2022, when 85% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.0262%

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Western Kentucky University was 0.0262%, which represents 1 out of the 3821 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Western Kentucky University received 7,720 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 2.86% annual growth. Out of those 7,720 applicants, 7,492 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 97% acceptance rate.

There were 16,759 students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 2023. 1% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Kentucky University has an overall enrollment yield of 37.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

97%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

7,492

Accepted Out of 7,720

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Kentucky University was 97% (7,492 admissions from 7,720 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 96.9%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 2.86%, while admissions grew by 2.97%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2023)

Scores Submitted (2023)

1% of enrolled first-time students at Western Kentucky University in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Kentucky University had a total enrollment of 16,759 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 12,074 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,685. This means that 72% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 75.5% White, 8.41% Black or African American, 5.82% Hispanic or Latino, 3.94% Two or More Races, 3.35% Asian, 0.28% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.137% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (46.8%), followed by White Male (29.2%) and Black or African American Female (5.01%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (54.7%), followed by White Male (20.1%) and Black or African American Female (5.99%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

72%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Kentucky University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 16,759 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 12,074 and the part-time enrollment is 4,685. This means that 72% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.2% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Kentucky University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

78%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Kentucky University was 78%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Western Kentucky University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Kentucky University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
12,647 enrolled students
Black or African American
1,409 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
975 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University is 75.5% White, 8.41% Black or African American, 5.82% Hispanic or Latino, 3.94% Two or More Races, 3.35% Asian, 0.28% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.137% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 50.1% White, 17.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 288 students (1.72%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 1,066 more women than men received degrees from Western Kentucky University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Kentucky University is white (3,287 degrees awarded). There were 9.72 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (338 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Kentucky University is Registered Nursing (169 degrees awarded), followed by General Studies (151 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (131 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Kentucky University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Library Science (28 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (187 degrees), and Communications (231 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Other managers (181,081 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (134,070 people), Marketing managers (89,617 people), Customer service representatives (74,798 people), and Sales representatives, wholesale & manufacturing (71,965 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University in 2023 are Library Science (28 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (187 degrees), Communications (231 degrees), Agriculture (77 degrees), and Human Sciences (75 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Aircraft pilots & flight engineers

The most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Library Science (28 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (187 degrees), Communications (231 degrees), Agriculture (77 degrees), and Human Sciences (75 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Elementary & secondary schools (482,391 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (305,772 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (290,080 people), Legal services (267,988 people), and Justice, public order, & safety activities (214,995 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Kentucky University.

Most Common (2023)

Registered Nursing
169 degrees awarded
General Studies
151 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
131 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Kentucky University was Registered Nursing with 169 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Kentucky University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,544

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

2,610

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 1,544 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University, which is 0.592 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,610).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Kentucky University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 146 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in Organizational Leadership, which is 2.43 times more than the 60 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 257 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in Registered Nursing, which is 8.03 times more than the 32 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

40%

100% Completion Time

57%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 40% of students graduating from Western Kentucky University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 57% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 61% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Male

Highest Graduation Rate (78.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Western Kentucky University is Male and Asian (78.3% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0% of graduates (0 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
3,287 degrees awarded
Black or African American
338 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
203 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Kentucky University is white (3,287 degrees awarded). There were 9.72 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (338 degrees).

0.794% of degree recipients (33 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
2,088 degrees awarded
White Male
1,199 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
198 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Kentucky University is white female (2,088 degrees awarded). There were 1.74 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,199 degrees).

Operations

Western Kentucky University employs 193 Professors, 179 Associate professors and 134 Instructors. Most academics at Western Kentucky University are Male Professor (119), Female Associate professor (103), and Female Instructor (93).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 289 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 275 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 135 employees.

Salary Expenditure

$130M

2023 Salaries

5.98%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Western Kentucky University paid a median of $130M in salaries, a 5.98% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 6.74% decline between 2021 and 2022, and a 0.53% decline between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$47.2M

Instructional Salaries

637

Number of Employees

In 2023, Western Kentucky University paid a total of $47.2M to 637 employees working as instructors, which represents 36.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.12M (2.97%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

193 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

289 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Professor with 193 employees, Associate professor with 179 employees, and Instructor with 134 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Office and Administrative Support with 289 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 275 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 135 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Female Associate professor
Female Instructor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University was Male Professor with 119 employees, Female Associate professor with 103 employees, and Female Instructor with 93 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Western Kentucky University.

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