Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY wku.edu 12,267 students

Western Kentucky University's main campus is situated on a hill, providing views of the Barren River valley. Students enjoy a spirited atmosphere with a focus on community involvement. The university is known for its journalism and broadcasting programs, offering students hands-on experience through its student-run newspaper and television station. WKU also maintains regional campuses throughout Kentucky, extending its reach across the state.

Programs

Analyzed in dataset

Earnings

$40,390

Average graduate, 1 yr after

Outlook

47/100

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

Tuition

$11,436

In-state sticker price

Out-of-state: $27,000/yr

Financial Aid

The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Western Kentucky University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 29% of students receive Pell Grants; 36% take federal loans.

Net Price by Family Income

Academic Year 2025

Income Bracket	Avg Net Price	4-Year Net Cost
$0 – $30K	$10,075	$40,300
$30K – $48K	$16,624	$66,496
$48K – $75K	$17,417	$69,668
$75K – $110K	$18,219	$72,876
$110K+	$18,601	$74,404
Sticker price (no aid)	$11,436	$45,744

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

Programs at Western Kentucky University

45 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Degree Program	DW Score	1-yr Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Nursing Compare across schools →	82	$68,294/yr	High	15.5x
Accounting Compare across schools →	75	$50,104/yr	Very High	14.7x
Electrical Engineering Compare across schools →	73	$74,205/yr	Very High	19.0x
Information Sciences Compare across schools →	71	$48,863/yr	Very High	12.7x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools →	70	$70,722/yr	Very High	15.9x
Finance Compare across schools →	70	$44,355/yr	Very High	13.6x
Construction Engineering Technologies Compare across schools →	67	$63,013/yr	Very High	18.6x
Civil Engineering Compare across schools →	66	$60,086/yr	High	14.2x
Economics Compare across schools →	64	$53,857/yr	Very High	10.9x
Management Science Compare across schools →	64	$49,823/yr	Very High	9.9x
Industrial Production Technology Compare across schools →	63	$60,675/yr	Moderate	14.9x
Business Administration Compare across schools →	63	$44,498/yr	High	11.2x
Management Information Systems Compare across schools →	61	$64,252/yr	Very High	12.2x
Health and Medical Administrative Services Compare across schools →	61	$44,516/yr	High	10.3x
Marketing Compare across schools →	57	$42,478/yr	Very High	11.8x
Architectural Sciences and Technology Compare across schools →	54	$46,919/yr	High	12.3x
Social Sciences Compare across schools →	49	$38,659/yr	High	9.2x
Dental Services Compare across schools →	46	$47,974/yr	Moderate	8.4x
Teacher Education Compare across schools →	45	$37,288/yr	High	7.9x
Subject-Area Teaching Compare across schools →	45	$36,830/yr	High	8.0x
Health Sciences Compare across schools →	44	$42,045/yr	High	11.1x
Public Relations & Advertising Compare across schools →	43	$35,534/yr	High	9.7x
Parks Compare across schools →	43	$32,267/yr	Moderate	7.9x
Biology Compare across schools →	40	$29,945/yr	High	11.6x
Hospitality Management Compare across schools →	40	$29,492/yr	High	8.7x
Apparel and Textiles Compare across schools →	39	$36,635/yr	High	7.7x
Political Science Compare across schools →	38	$23,294/yr	Very High	10.6x
Criminology Compare across schools →	37	$32,370/yr	High	6.1x
Special Education and Teaching Compare across schools →	36	$38,807/yr	High	7.5x
Music Compare across schools →	36	$34,766/yr	High	8.6x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools →	35	$33,955/yr	High	9.0x
Health & Physical Education Compare across schools →	35	$25,858/yr	Moderate	9.7x
Social Work Compare across schools →	34	$34,748/yr	Moderate	7.9x
Sociology Compare across schools →	34	$32,762/yr	High	8.0x
History Compare across schools →	34	$27,177/yr	High	8.7x
Agriculture Compare across schools →	33	$38,804/yr	High	8.8x
Journalism Compare across schools →	32	$35,050/yr	Very High	8.5x
Fine Arts Compare across schools →	29	$28,291/yr	Moderate	6.5x
Psychology Compare across schools →	29	$25,936/yr	High	8.0x
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Compare across schools →	29	$21,377/yr	High	7.9x
Liberal Arts & Humanities Compare across schools →	28	$35,746/yr	Low	7.8x
Anthropology Compare across schools →	26	$19,495/yr	High	7.9x
English Compare across schools →	25	$27,950/yr	Very High	7.4x
Romance Languages Compare across schools →	25	$24,967/yr	Very High	8.1x
Theater & Drama Compare across schools →	25	$22,884/yr	Moderate	4.0x