Western Kentucky University

www.wku.edu

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2022 Undergraduate Tuition

$11,112

1.09% growth from 2021

2022 Average Net Price

$12,625

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

0.0262%

on Student Loans

2022 Acceptance Rate

96.9%

7,505 Applicants

2022 Enrolled Students

16,493

72.2% Full-Time

2022 Graduation Rate

54%

1,550 Graduates

About

Western Kentucky University is a higher education institution located in Warren County, KY. In 2022, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Kentucky University were Registered Nursing (170 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (144 degrees), and General Studies (138 degrees).

In 2022, 4,485 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Kentucky University. 62.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,664 degrees), 10.8 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 $11,112, which is $−12,884 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

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

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2022, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $11,112, which is $12,884 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,625.

In 2022, 85% of undergraduate students attending Western Kentucky University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 38% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$11,112

2022 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2022, the cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University was $11,112. The cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University is $−12,884 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

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

Average Net Price

$12,625

2022 Value

1.86%

1 Year Growth

In 2022 Western Kentucky University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,625. Between 2021 and 2022, the average net price of Western Kentucky University grew by 1.86%.

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

$10,708

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Kentucky University was of $10,708 in 2022. The cost of room and board increased by 6.61% between 2021 and 2022.

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

85%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

38%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

85% of undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2022. This represents a growth of 3.66% with respect to 2021, when 82% 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 7,505 undergraduate applications in 2022, which represents a 3.45% annual growth. Out of those 7,505 applicants, 7,276 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 96.9% acceptance rate.

There were 16,493 students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 2022.

Western Kentucky University has an overall enrollment yield of 37.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

96.9%

Acceptance Rate in 2022

7,276

Accepted Out of 7,505

In 2022, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Kentucky University was 96.9% (7,276 admissions from 7,505 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2021, which was 98.5%. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of applicants grew by 3.45%, while admissions grew by 1.83%.

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

Scores Submitted (2022)

0% of enrolled first-time students at Western Kentucky University in 2022 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 16,493 students in 2022. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 11,904 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,589. This means that 72.2% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 77.5% White, 8.18% Black or African American, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 3.65% Two or More Races, 3.06% Asian, 0.224% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.097% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (47.4%), followed by White Male (29.3%) and Black or African American Female (5.12%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (54.9%), followed by White Male (20.6%) and Black or African American Female (5.94%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

72.2%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Kentucky University in 2022, both undergraduate and graduate, is 16,493 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 11,904 and the part-time enrollment is 4,589. This means that 72.2% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.6% 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

77%

2022 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 77%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), 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 (2022)

White
12,784 enrolled students
Black or African American
1,349 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
857 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University is 77.5% White, 8.18% Black or African American, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 3.65% Two or More Races, 3.06% Asian, 0.224% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.097% 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 51.2% White, 17.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 13% 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, 176 students (1.07%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2022, 1,159 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 (3,664 degrees awarded). There were 10.8 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 (170 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (144 degrees) and General Studies (138 degrees).

In 2022, 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 (20 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (193 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (155 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

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 Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (332,226 people), Other managers (284,899 people), Social workers, all other (211,449 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (190,576 people), and Chief executives & legislators (123,597 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University in 2022 are Library Science (20 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (193 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (155 degrees), Social Sciences (300 degrees), and Interdisciplinary Studies (169 degrees) (as of 2022).

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 (20 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (193 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (155 degrees), Social Sciences (300 degrees), and Interdisciplinary Studies (169 degrees) (as of 2022).

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 (2022)

Registered Nursing
170 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
144 degrees awarded
General Studies
138 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Kentucky University was Registered Nursing with 170 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

1,663

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2022

2,822

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2022

In 2022, 1,663 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University, which is 0.589 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,822).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2022, 116 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.14 times more than the 102 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2022, 268 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in Registered Nursing, which is 9.24 times more than the 29 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

37%

100% Completion Time

55%

150% Completion Time

In 2022, 37% of students graduating from Western Kentucky University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 55% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 56% 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 Female

Highest Graduation Rate (61.9%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2022 at Western Kentucky University is Female and Asian (61.9% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (73.2%).

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, 0.323% of graduates (5 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2022)

White
3,664 degrees awarded
Black or African American
338 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
137 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Kentucky University is white (3,664 degrees awarded). There were 10.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (338 degrees).

0.602% of degree recipients (27 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2022)

White Female
2,344 degrees awarded
White Male
1,320 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
203 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Kentucky University is white female (2,344 degrees awarded). There were 1.78 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1320 degrees).

Operations

Western Kentucky University employs 182 Professors, 182 Associate professors and 145 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Kentucky University are Male Professor (117), Female Associate professor (107), and Female Instructor (86).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 302 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 239 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 120 employees.

Salary Expenditure

$123M

2022 Salaries

6.74%

decline from 2021

In 2022, Western Kentucky University paid a median of $123M in salaries, a 6.74% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.53% decline between 2020 and 2021, and a 8.81% growth between 2019 and 2020.

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

Instructional Salaries

$46.4M

Instructional Salaries

642

Number of Employees

In 2022, Western Kentucky University paid a total of $46.4M to 642 employees working as instructors, which represents 37.7% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11.3M (31.2%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

182 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

302 Employees

In 2022, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Professor with 182 employees, Associate professor with 182 employees, and Assistant professor with 145 employees.

In 2022, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Office and Administrative Support with 302 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 239 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 120 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2022)

Male Professor
Female Associate professor
Female Instructor

In 2022, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University was Male Professor with 117 employees, Female Associate professor with 107 employees, and Female Instructor with 86 employees.

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

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