# Western Kentucky University

> Western Kentucky University's acceptance rate is 98% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, 7,255 applicants). It is a public university in Bowling Green, KY, with 14,729 students. The average net price after grants is $12,395 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 54%.

Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Federal source years are listed with each table.

- Profile: https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-kentucky-university-3230
- Location: Bowling Green, KY, United States
- Setting: Small city
- Control: Public
- Classification: Doctoral/professional university
- Official website: https://www.wku.edu/
- IPEDS Unit ID: 157951
- Last verified by CollegesRef: 2026-11-03

## Admissions

Source: CollegesRef archive.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Applicants | 7,255 |
| Admitted | 7,145 |
| Acceptance rate | 98% |

## Cost

Source: CollegesRef archive.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Out-of-state tuition | $30,115 |
| Average net price (per year, after grants) | $12,395 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 38% |

## Outcomes

Source: CollegesRef archive.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Graduation rate (within six years) | 54% |
| First-year retention rate | 73% |

## Enrollment

Source: CollegesRef archive.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Total students | 14,729 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Western Kentucky University acceptance rate for 2026?

Western Kentucky University admitted 98% of 7,255 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

### How much is Western Kentucky University tuition?

Tuition at Western Kentucky University is $30,115 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $12,395 a year.

### What is the average net price at Western Kentucky University?

The average net price at Western Kentucky University, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $12,395 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.

### What is the graduation rate at Western Kentucky University?

54% of first-time, full-time students at Western Kentucky University graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

### What colleges are similar to Western Kentucky University?

The closest matches are Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University, and University of Louisville, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.

## Related pages

- [Western Kentucky University Tuition 2026](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-kentucky-university-3230/financial)
- [Western Kentucky University Rankings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-kentucky-university-3230/rankings)
- [Western Kentucky University Earnings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-kentucky-university-3230/outcomes)
- [Colleges similar to Western Kentucky University](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/western-kentucky-university-3230)
- [Compare Western Kentucky University with other colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/compare?slugs=western-kentucky-university-3230)
- [College Scorecard entry](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?157951)
- [College Navigator entry](https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157951)

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-kentucky-university-3230. Figures are federal reports (IPEDS and the U.S. College Scorecard); cite the data year shown with each table. Blank measures were not reported and are left out rather than estimated.