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Western Kentucky University: tuition, cost and admissions

Bowling Green, KY · Public university · City (small)

12,149Undergraduates

97%Acceptance rate

1,088Average SAT

$12,329Avg net cost / yr

See Western Kentucky University on the map → Official website

What Western Kentucky University actually costs

Item	Amount
Tuition & fees (in-state)	$11,112	Published rate before aid
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)	$27,000	Published rate before aid
Room & board (on campus)	$11,072	Annual
Books & supplies	$1,000	Estimated annual
Total sticker cost	$23,211	Everything, before aid
Average actual cost paid	$12,329	Average paid after grants and scholarships — an average, not a quote

Across all students, the average paid here was $10,882 less than the sticker price — about 47% off, once grants and scholarships are counted. Individual awards vary enormously, and many students receive nothing at all.

Do your own due diligence on cost. Every figure above is a historical federal average for all students at this college. No student pays the average. What you are charged depends on your family’s income and assets, your academic record, the year you apply, and what aid this college has available — and it changes year to year. Use these numbers to decide which colleges are worth investigating, never to decide what one will cost you. Run the college’s own net price calculator — every US college is required by law to publish one — then confirm in writing with its financial aid office before committing to anything. We are not financial, admissions or tax advisers and have no relationship with this college.

Most popular fields of study

Business, Management & Marketing — 20%

Health Professions — 16%

Communication & Journalism — 6%

Education — 6%

Social Sciences — 6%

Liberal Arts & General Studies — 5%

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies — 4%

Parks, Recreation & Fitness — 4%

Share of degrees awarded, US Dept. of Education.

Varsity athletics at Western Kentucky University

Athletic association	D-I
Men’s varsity sports (5)	Football (112), Track & Field (80), Baseball (40), Basketball (18), Golf (10)
Women’s varsity sports (7)	Track & Field (66), Soccer (27), Softball (15), Basketball (14), Volleyball (12), Golf (9), Tennis (8)
Softball conference	CUSA
Head softball coach	Amy Tudor

Squad sizes in brackets, from the federal Equity in Athletics survey (2024–25). Filter by sport and division on the interactive map.

Plan a visit and compare

Add Western Kentucky University to your shortlist, score it against other colleges side by side, and plan a campus visit route from your front door with the free My University View map.

Other colleges in Kentucky

University of Kentucky · University of Louisville · Eastern Kentucky University · Northern Kentucky University · Bluegrass Community and Technical College · Jefferson Community and Technical College · Murray State University · Morehead State University