Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| Online | wku.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Western Kentucky University sits atop a hill overlooking Bowling Green, Kentucky, located approximately 60 miles north of Nashville, Tennessee. The campus, known for its distinctive red sandstone buildings and colonial revival architecture, occupies 200 acres on what was originally known as "The Hill," featuring the iconic Cherry Hall as its centerpiece. Founded in 1906 as a state normal school, WKU has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in journalism, broadcasting, engineering, education, and business. The university maintains a moderately selective admission process and provides housing for students across multiple residence halls throughout the main campus. WKU's athletic programs compete in NCAA Division I as the Hilltoppers within Conference USA, with the university's men's basketball program holding a notable presence in the conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
WKU is rated within the lower 28% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Kentucky University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#968 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#399 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#15 in Best Colleges in Kentucky
#6 in Best Public Colleges in Kentucky
#51 in Best Value Colleges in Kentucky
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 820/1010 |
| ACT | 16/20 |
| GPA | 3.42 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Kentucky Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $12,043 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,409 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,888 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $12,043 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,409 |
| Total One Year Cost | $42,452 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 16% |
| Education | 12% |
| Health Professions | 11% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 10% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering WKU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157951 IPEDS survey data for Western Kentucky University.
Current students may use the Western Kentucky University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025