WKU Rankings and Evaluation

National Universities

#263 in National Universities

Kentucky Colleges

#8 in Kentucky Colleges

Western Kentucky University is ranked 263^rd in National Universities and 8^th in Kentucky Colleges.

The following statements evaluate Western Kentucky University by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Its tuition & fees of $27,000 is comparable to similar schools.
The acceptance rate (94%) is average.
The SAT & ACT scores (930 SAT, 18 ACT) is around average.
It has average number of students of 16,291.
The financial aid amount ($9,681) is average.
It offers diverse area of study (217 programs).

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of WKU are $27,000 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University $27,000

All U.S. Colleges $17,692

Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895

4-Years Colleges $22,926

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky $21,993

Graduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of WKU are $18,340 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University $18,340

All U.S. Colleges $18,842

Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343

4-Years Colleges $18,848

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky $18,366

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of WKU is 94% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 94%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%

4-Years Colleges 68%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 86%

Yield (Enrollment Rate)

The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of WKU is 30% and the yield is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 30%

All U.S. Colleges 37%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%

4-Years Colleges 35%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 28%

SAT Scores

The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at WKU is 930 and it is around average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 930

All U.S. Colleges 1,123

Public, 4-Years Colleges 1,112

4-Years Colleges 1,124

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 1,112

ACT Scores

The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at WKU is 18 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 18

All U.S. Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges 67

4-Years Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 70

Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate at WKU is 56% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 56%

All U.S. Colleges 56%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%

4-Years Colleges 51%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 49%

Transfer-out Rate

The average transfer-out rate at WKU is 2% and it is much lower (most first-time students continue to attend) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 2%

All U.S. Colleges 21%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 23%

4-Years Colleges 24%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 30%

Retention Rate

The average retention rate at WKU is 78% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 78%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%

4-Years Colleges 73%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 73%

Student Population

The total student population at WKU is 16,291 and its population average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University 16,291

All U.S. Colleges 2,931

Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396

4-Years Colleges 4,686

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 15,259

Financial Aid Amount

The average amount of financial aid received at WKU is $9,681 which is 35.86% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky University $9,681

All U.S. Colleges $7,676

Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301

4-Years Colleges $12,161

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky $8,754

Student to Faculty Ratio

The students to faculty ratio at WKU is 19 to 1 and the ratio is higher (more students per class/faculty) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.