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#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

WKU Admission Requirements

Bowling Green, Kentucky

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Chances of getting into Western Kentucky University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
98%
Admission Difficulty for Western Kentucky University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 
How hard is it to get into WKU and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at WKU is 98%.  It ranks #27 in Kentucky for lowest rate of acceptance. Western Kentucky University is an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission requirements. Last year, 7,145 out of 7,255 applicants were admitted.

The school has moderate admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 60 percent on standardized admission tests. Western Kentucky University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 40% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The WKU application fee is $45 and applications are due by Apr 1.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Western Kentucky University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.42 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1080 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is recommended but not required for admission to Western Kentucky University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application.

WKU SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
980-1180
Applicants Submitting SAT 
9%
SAT Scores for Western Kentucky University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 500
SAT Math 25th 480
SAT Composite 25th 980
SAT Scores for Western Kentucky University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 600
SAT Math 75th 580
SAT Composite 75th 1180
Average SAT Score 1080

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Western Kentucky University?

Western Kentucky University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "recommended".

Students who get into Western Kentucky University score in the top 64 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 980-1180.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Western Kentucky University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1180 and Above Good >99%
1080 to 1180 Avg + 98%-99%
980 to 1080 Avg - 96%-98%
880 to 980 Reach 93%-96%
Less than 880 Low <93%
Calculate My Chances 
Connect with WKU

Engage with counselors on a personal level to demonstrate your interest in their school and get answers to all of your admissions-related questions.

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WKU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
19-26 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
95%
ACT Scores for Western Kentucky University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 19
ACT Math 25th 17
ACT Composite 25th 19
ACT Scores for Western Kentucky University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 27
ACT Math 75th 25
ACT Composite 75th 26
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into WKU?

Western Kentucky University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "recommended".

WKU regularly accepts students who score 19 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 56 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 19-26.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Western Kentucky University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >99%
22 to 26 Avg + 98%-99%
19 to 22 Avg - 97%-98%
16 to 19 Reach 94%-97%
Less than 16 Low <94%
Calculate My Chances 

WKU GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.42
Typical High School Grades 
B+

What GPA do you need to get into Western Kentucky University?

Applicants require above average high school grades to get into WKU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Western Kentucky University was 3.42 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #15 in Kentucky for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.42 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as WKU accepts 98% of all applicants.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

74% of Western Kentucky University freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Western Kentucky University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 22%
Top 25% of class 45%
Top 50% of class 74%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Western Kentucky University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,709 2,546 7,255
Accepted 4,664 2,481 7,145
Acceptance Rate 99% 97% 98%
Enrolled 1,813 1,019 2,832
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 39% 41% 40%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications were Due
Apr 1, 2023
Days left to Apply
None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Apr 1, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Western Kentucky University is $45.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Western Kentucky University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Western Kentucky University Application Requirements
Test Scores Recommended
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Neither required nor recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Neither required nor recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Western Kentucky University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157951 IPEDS survey data for Western Kentucky University.

FAQs

Does Western Kentucky University prefer SAT or ACT?

9% of students submit their SAT scores to WKU. 95% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Western Kentucky University?

98% of those who apply are granted admission to WKU. Admission competition is and the college has moderate admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Western Kentucky University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 980 and 1180. 9% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Western Kentucky University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 26. 95% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.