Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky · Public · 12,155 undergraduates · wku.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
91%
of 9,692 applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
930 to 1130
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$31,430Est.Estimate
$47,520 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at Western Kentucky University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
91% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored, and your GPA is in the middle half of freshmen's.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$47,520
a year in 2027-28, from a $47,520 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1040
Send your score
About 36% of freshmen here didn't send a score. We estimate their typical SAT at about 870, and yours is above it.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- If your unweighted GPA is below 2.5, you must send a score.
- Doesn't superscore: it uses the scores from one test date.
- Send official score reports when you apply.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
Source: Admission < Western Kentucky University (Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027) · Checked October 17, 2026
Application deadlines
- Dec31Priority deadline · December 31, 2026Apply by this date for the best chance at admission and scholarships.
Who gets in
91%
of applicants were admitted: 8,863 of 9,692 for fall 2025.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen (fall 2025)
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above. 9.3% of them sent SAT scores and 70% sent ACT scores.
SAT total 930 to 1130
Reading and Writing 480 to 580
Math 450 to 560
ACT composite 18 to 25
How enrolled freshmen scored on the SAT
- 1400 to 16001.6%
- 1200 to 139912%
- 1000 to 119945%
- 800 to 99937%
- 600 to 7994.5%
- 400 to 5990%
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
High school GPA of enrolled freshmen
Average GPA: 3.47
- 4.010%
- 3.75 to 3.9927%
- 3.50 to 3.7419%
- 3.25 to 3.4914%
- 3.00 to 3.2412%
- 2.50 to 2.9915%
- Below 2.502.9%
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$31,430
a year, in state
$47,520
a year, out of state (tuition $28,870)
- Tuition (in state)$12,780
- Food and housing$13,850
- Books and supplies$1,060
- Transportation and other$3,740
Western Kentucky University published $29,677 in state for 2025-26. Its 2027-28 prices aren't out yet.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$9,356
- $30,001 to $48,000$7,809
- $48,001 to $75,000$8,394
- $75,001 to $110,000$13,925
- Over $110,000$19,009
Financial aid
16%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
$9,760
average need-based grant to freshmen, money you don't repay
30%
of freshmen got merit aid without financial need, $4,905 on average
- FAFSA
- Required for need-based aid. It's the free federal aid form.
- CSS Profile
- Not required. Only the FAFSA is needed.
- Aid priority date: 02/15
- Send your aid forms by this date to be first in line for the college's grant money.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
National Merit & Achievement Semi-Finalists Supplemental Scholarship
$1,500 a year
National Merit
To keep it: a 2.5 college GPA at the end of each spring semester; it renews automatically.
Details
Kentucky programs for residents
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
State program · In-state students
$36/year bonus (added to base award)
- 2.75+ GPA, 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 15 / SAT 830-870; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 880+ SAT or 16+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 16 / SAT 880-910; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 920+ SAT or 17+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 17 / SAT 920-950; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 960+ SAT or 18+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 18 / SAT 960-980; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 19 / SAT 990-1020; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 20 / SAT 1030-1050; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 21 / SAT 1060-1090; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 22 / SAT 1100-1120; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 23 / SAT 1130-1150; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 24 / SAT 1160-1190; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 25 / SAT 1200-1220; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1230+ SAT or 26+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 26 / SAT 1230-1250; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 27 / SAT 1260-1290; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 28+ / SAT 1300-1600; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, Base award (GPA only; no test component); Graduate of certified KY high school; meet KEES curriculum requirements; not a convicted felon, from Kentucky
- 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, Homeschool / non-certified school / KY GED graduates (test-only award); KY homeschool or non-certified school graduate, or KY GED earned between ages 18 and 23
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
41 of 41
Earn credit with a score of 3
40 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,280Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | Art 130 |
| 2-D Art and Design | 4 | 6 | Art 130 and 140 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | Art 131 |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | African American Studies 190 |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | Art 105 or 106 |
| Art History | 4 | 6 | Art 105 and 106 |
| Biology | 3 | 3 | Biology 113 |
| Biology | 4 | 4 | Biology 113 and 114 |
| Biology | 5 | 6 | Biology 120 and 122 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | Math 136 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 4 | Math 136 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 8 | Math 136 and 137 |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 4 | 4 | Math 136 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 | Chemistry 116 or Chemistry 101 |
| Chemistry | 4 | 4 | Chemistry 120/121 (5), or Chemistry 105/106 (4) |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | Chinese 101, 102, and 201 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | Chinese 101, 102, 201, and 202 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 5 | 15 | Chinese 101, 102, 201, 202, and 301 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | Political Science 260 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | Computer Science 180 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | Computer Science 146 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | Art 140 |
| Drawing | 4 | 6 | Art 130 and 140 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | English 100 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | English 100 |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 | 6 | English 100 and 200 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | Environmental Studies 280 or Public Health 280 |
| Environmental Science | 5 | 4 | Geography 280 |
| European History | 3 | 3 | History 102 |
| European History | 4 | 6 | History 102 and 3 hours of lower level history electives |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | French 101, 102, and 201 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | French 101, 102, 201, and 202 |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 15 | French 101, 102, 201, 202, and 320 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | German 101, 102, and 201 |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | German 101, 102, 201, and 202 |
| German Language and Culture | 5 | 15 | German 101, 102, 201, 202, and 330 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | Geography 110 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | Italian 101, 102, and 3 hours of Italian lower level electives |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | Italian 101, 102, and 6 hours of Italian lower level electives |
| Italian Language and Culture | 5 | 15 | Italian 101, 102, 6 hours of Italian lower level electives, and 3 hours of Italian upper level electives |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | Japanese 101, 102, and 201 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | Japanese 101, 102, 201, and 202 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 5 | 15 | Japanese 101, 102, 201, 202, and 3 hours of Japanese upper level electives |
| Latin | 3 | 9 | Religious Studies 150 and 151, and 3 hours of lower level Religious Studies electives |
| Latin | 4 | 12 | Religious Studies 150 and 151, and 6 hours lower level Religious Studies electives |
| Latin | 5 | 15 | Religious Studies 150 and 151, 6 hours lower level Religious Studies electives, 3 hours of upper level Religious Studies electives |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | Economics 203 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | Economics 202 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 2 | Music 100 |
| Music Theory | 4 | 4 | Music 100 and 101 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 3 | Physics 101 |
| Physics 1 | 4 | 3 | Physics 101 (3) or 201 (4) |
| Physics 1 | 5 | 4 | Physics 201 (4) or 231/232 (4) |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 | Physics 202 |
| Physics 2 | 4 | 4 | Physics 202 or 332/233 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | Physics 332 and 233 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 5 | 5 | Physics 265 and 266 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 3 | Physics 101 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 4 | Physics 231 and 232 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 5 | 5 | Physics 255 and 256 |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 5 | Math 118 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | Psychology 100 or Psychological Science 100 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | Lower Level Elective |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | Lower Level Elective |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | Spanish 101, 102, and 201 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | Spanish 101, 102, 201, and 202 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 5 | 15 | Spanish 101, 102, 201, 202, and 371 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 9 | Spanish 101, 102, and 201 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 12 | Spanish 101, 102, 201, and 202 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 5 | 15 | Spanish 101, 102, 201, 202, and 374 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | Math 183 or Economics 206 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | Political Science 110 |
| United States History | 3 | 3 | History 240 or History 241 |
| United States History | 4 | 6 | History 240 or History 241 and 3 hours of History lower level electives |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | History 102 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
56%
Come back for a second year
78%
Typical earnings
$48,408
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Western Kentucky University$50,705
- All colleges$55,386
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 50 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Western Kentucky University. The Western Kentucky University logo is a trademark of the college.