Western Kentucky University

www.wku.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$10,992

1.76% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$12,395

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

2.17%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

98.5%

7,255 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

16,750

72.3% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

57.4%

1,558 Graduates

About

Western Kentucky University is a higher education institution located in Warren County, KY. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Kentucky University were Registered Nursing (185 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (159 degrees), and General Studies (142 degrees).

In 2021, 4,546 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Kentucky University. 60.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 39.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,676 degrees), 10.4 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (354 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $10,992, which is $−12,192 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $10,992, which is $−12,192 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,395.

In 2021, 82% of undergraduate students attending Western Kentucky University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 39% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$10,992

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University was $10,992. The cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University is $−12,192 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

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

Average Net Price

$12,395

2021 Value

2.44%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Western Kentucky University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,395. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Western Kentucky University grew by 2.44%.

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

$10,044

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Kentucky University was of $10,044 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 19.1% between 2020 and 2021.

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

82%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

39%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

82% of undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 1.23% with respect to 2020, when 81% 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.

2.17%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Western Kentucky University was 2.17%, which represents 90 out of the 4153 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 7,255 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 15.4% annual growth. Out of those 7,255 applicants, 7,145 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 98.5% acceptance rate.

There were 16,750 students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 2021. 10% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Kentucky University has an overall enrollment yield of 39.6%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

98.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

7,145

Accepted Out of 7,255

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Kentucky University was 98.5% (7,145 admissions from 7,255 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 97.7%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 15.4%, while admissions declined by −14.7%..

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

10%

Submission Percentage (2020)

305

Scores Submitted (2020)

10% of enrolled first-time students at Western Kentucky University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Kentucky University had a total enrollment of 16,750 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 12,115 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,635. This means that 72.3% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 77.8% White, 8.59% Black or African American, 4.87% Hispanic or Latino, 3.7% Two or More Races, 2.77% Asian, 0.191% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.101% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (47.8%), followed by White Male (29.4%) and Black or African American Female (5.41%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (55%), followed by White Male (22.4%) and Black or African American Female (5.03%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

72.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Kentucky University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 16,750 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 12,115 and the part-time enrollment is 4,635. This means that 72.3% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% 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

73%

2021 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 73%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Kentucky University had a retention rate approximately the same as 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 (2021)

White
13,032 enrolled students
Black or African American
1,439 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
816 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University is 77.8% White, 8.59% Black or African American, 4.87% Hispanic or Latino, 3.7% Two or More Races, 2.77% Asian, 0.191% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.101% 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 52% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% 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, 140 students (0.836%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 948 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 (3,676 degrees awarded). There were 10.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (354 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Kentucky University is Registered Nursing (185 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (159 degrees) and General Studies (142 degrees).

In 2021, 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 (258 degrees), and Agriculture (79 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 (176,344 people), Social workers, all other (155,591 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (124,448 people), Marketing managers (73,007 people), and Sales representatives, wholesale & manufacturing (72,589 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University in 2021 are Library Science (28 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (258 degrees), Agriculture (79 degrees), Communications (255 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (196 degrees) (as of 2021).

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, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Aircraft pilots & flight engineers, Nurse anesthetists, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Library Science (28 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (258 degrees), Agriculture (79 degrees), Communications (255 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (196 degrees) (as of 2021).

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 (317,336 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (205,940 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (173,825 people), Individual & family services (118,664 people), and Computer Systems Design (108,674 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 (2021)

Registered Nursing
185 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
159 degree-majors awarded
General Studies
142 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Kentucky University was Registered Nursing with 185 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

1,799

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

2,747

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 1,799 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University, which is 0.655 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,747).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 179 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in Organizational Leadership, which is 2.13 times more than the 84 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 258 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in Registered Nursing, which is 6.62 times more than the 39 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

31%

100% Completion Time

52%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 31% of students graduating from Western Kentucky University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 52% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 54% 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.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Western Kentucky University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

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, 0.449% of graduates (7 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
3,676 degrees awarded
Black or African American
354 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
169 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Kentucky University is white (3,676 degrees awarded). There were 10.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (354 degrees).

0.484% of degree recipients (22 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
2,302 degrees awarded
White Male
1,374 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
211 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Kentucky University is white female (2,302 degrees awarded). There were 1.68 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1374 degrees).

Operations

Western Kentucky University employs 207 Associate professors, 173 Professors and 131 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Kentucky University are Female Associate professor (117), Male Professor (112), and Male Associate professor (90).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 303 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 224 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 122 employees.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$32.7k - Federal
$45.1k - State
$92.1k - Local

As of 2021, Western Kentucky University received $32.7k in grants and contracts from the federal government, $45.1k from state grants and contracts, and $92.1k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$132M

2021 Salaries

0.53%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Western Kentucky University paid a median of $132M in salaries, a 0.53% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$45.7M

Instructional Salaries

647

Number of Employees

In 2021, Western Kentucky University paid a total of $45.7M to 647 employees working as instructors, which represents 34.6% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.3%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Associate professor

Most Common Instructor

207 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

303 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Associate professor with 207 employees, Professor with 173 employees, and Assistant professor with 131 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Office and Administrative Support with 303 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 224 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 122 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Female Associate professor
Male Professor
Male Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University was Female Associate professor with 117 employees, Male Professor with 112 employees, and Male Associate professor with 90 employees.

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