Western Kentucky University

www.wku.edu

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2019 Undergraduate Tuition

$10,802

2.76% growth from 2018

2019 Average Net Price

$12,174

After Financial Aid

2017 Student Loan

9.33%

Default Rate

2019 Acceptance Rate

97.3%

8,245 Applicants

2019 Enrolled Students

18,171

69.3% Full-Time

2018 Graduation Rate

53.4%

1,337 Graduates

About

Western Kentucky University is a higher education institution located in Warren County, KY. In 2016, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Western Kentucky University were General Studies (239 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (190 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (174 degrees).

In 2019, 4,682 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Kentucky University. 60.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 39.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,713 degrees), 10.5 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (354 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $10,802, which is $−11,224 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Kentucky University is $10,802, which is $−11,224 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,174.

In 2019, 78% of undergraduate students received federal grants, while 41% of undergraduate students received federal loans.

Student Expenses

Tuition Costs

$10,802

2019 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2019, the cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University was $10,802. The cost of tuition at Western Kentucky University is $−11,224 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Kentucky University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$12,174

2019 Value

2.5%

1 Year Growth

In 2019 Western Kentucky University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,174. Between 2018 and 2019, the average net price of Western Kentucky University grew by 2.5%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$8,343

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Kentucky University was of $8,343 in 2019. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of room and board decreased by 0.0838% between 2018 and 2019. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid by Income Level

78%

Of Undergraduates Receive Grants

41%

Of Undergraduates Receive Federal Loans

78% of undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University received grants or loans in 2019. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2018, when 78% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

9.33%

2017 Default Rate

431

Number of Defaults

In 2017 the default rate for borrower's at Western Kentucky University was 9.33%, which represents 431 out of the 4620 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Western Kentucky University received 8,245 undergraduate applications in 2019, which represents a 10.9% annual decline. Out of those 8,245 applicants, 8,019 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 97.3% acceptance rate.

There were 18,171 students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 2019, and 11% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Kentucky University has an overall enrollment yield of 33.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

97.3%

Acceptance Rate in 2019

8,019

Accepted Out of 8,245

In 2019, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Kentucky University was 97.3% (8,019 admissions from 8,245 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2018, which was 97.2%. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of applicants declined by −10.9%, while admissions declined by −10.8%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Kentucky University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

11%

Submission Percentage

306

Scores Submitted

11% of enrolled first-time students at Western Kentucky University in 2019 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Kentucky University has a total enrollment of 18,171 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 12,591 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,580. This means that 69.3% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 79% White, 8.29% Black or African American, 4.01% Hispanic or Latino, 3.3% Two or More Races, 2.2% Asian, 0.231% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.116% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (46.9%), followed by White Male (31.5%) and Black or African American Female (5.27%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (58.1%), followed by White Male (20.1%) and Black or African American Female (4.12%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

69.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Kentucky University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 18,171 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Kentucky University is 12,591 and the part-time enrollment is 5,580. This means that 69.3% of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University are enrolled full-time compared with 69.2% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Kentucky University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

73%

2019 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Kentucky University was 73%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Western Kentucky University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Kentucky University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity

White
14,354
Black or African American
1,506
Hispanic or Latino
729

The enrolled student population at Western Kentucky University is 79% White, 8.29% Black or African American, 4.01% Hispanic or Latino, 3.3% Two or More Races, 2.2% Asian, 0.231% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.116% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 53.3% White, 16% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.9% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 108 students (0.594%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2019, 992 more women than men received degrees from Western Kentucky University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Kentucky University is white (3,713 degrees awarded). There were 10.5 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (354 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Kentucky University is General Studies (239 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (190 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (174 degrees).

The most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Kentucky University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Library Science (24 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (240 degrees), and Agriculture (121 degrees).

Workforce

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Other managers (172,538 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (119,994 people), Marketing managers (87,039 people), Secondary school teachers (78,126 people), and Postsecondary teachers (76,549 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Library Science (24 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (240 degrees), Agriculture (121 degrees), Communications (236 degrees), and Language & Linguistics (65 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Dentists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Dentists, Surgeons, Physicians, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Petroleum, mining & geological engineers, including mining safety engineers

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Kentucky University are Elementary & secondary schools (311,793 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (224,697 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (124,310 people), Computer Systems Design (117,941 people), and Advertising, public relations & related services (84,813 people).

Degrees

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Kentucky University.

Most Common

General Studies
239 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
190 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
174 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Kentucky University was General Studies with 239 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Kentucky University according to their major.

Gender Breakdown for Common Majors

1,845

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2019

2,837

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2019

In 2019, 1,845 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University, which is 0.65 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,837).

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Kentucky University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2019, 133 degrees were awarded to men at Western Kentucky University in General Studies, which is 0.756 times less than the 176 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2019, 260 degrees were awarded to women at Western Kentucky University in Registered Nursing, which is 5.1 times more than the 51 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

28%

100% Completion Time

51%

150% Completion Time

In 2019, 28% of students graduating from Western Kentucky University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 51% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 54% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Diversity

Graduation Rate by Race and Gender

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (83.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Western Kentucky University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (83.3% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (69.1%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.972% of graduates (13 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,713 degrees awarded
Black or African American
354 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
143 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Kentucky University is white (3,713 degrees awarded). There were 10.5 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (354 degrees).

0.705% of degree recipients (33 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Gender

Most Common Gender Demographic

White Female
2,361 degrees awarded
White Male
1,352 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
196 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and gender grouping at Western Kentucky University is white female (2,361 degrees awarded). There were 1.75 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,352 degrees).

Operations

Western Kentucky University has an endowment valued at nearly $15.6M, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $−NaNk (−0.447%), compared to the 4.44% average return ($1.71M on $38.5M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2019, Western Kentucky University had a total salary expenditure of $286M. Western Kentucky University employs 216 Associate professors, 193 Professors, and 134 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Kentucky University are Male Professors (121), Female Associate professors(117), and Male Associate professors (99).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 359 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 242 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 128 employees.

Finances

Endowment

$15.6M

2019 Endowment

3.98%

decline from 2018

Western Kentucky University has an endowment valued at about $15.6M, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Kentucky University declined 3.98% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $22.9M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Kentucky University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$19.6k - Federal
$43.2k - State
$168k - Local

As of 2019, Western Kentucky University received $19.6k in grants and contracts from the federal government, $43.2k from state grants and contracts, and $168k from local grants and contracts.

Expenses

Salary Expenditure

$122M

2019 Salaries

15.3%

decline from 2018

In 2019, Western Kentucky University paid a median of $122M in salaries, which represents 42.6% of their overall expenditure ($286M) and a 15.3% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.0288% growth from 2017 and a 2.02% decline from 2016.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 34.1M (40.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$48.6M

Instructional Salaries

681

Number of Employees

In 2019, Western Kentucky University paid a total of $48.6M to 681 employees working as instructors, which represents 39.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11.2M (32.7%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Faculty and Staff

Occupations by Share

Associate professor

Most Common Instructor

216 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

359 Employees

In 2019, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Associate professor with 216 employees; Professor with 193 employees; and Professor with 134 employees.

In 2019, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Kentucky University were Office and Administrative Support with 359 employees; Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 242 employees; and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 128 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Gender

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Female Associate professor
Male Associate professor

In 2019, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Kentucky University was Male Professor with 121 employees, Female Associate professor with 117 employees, and Male Associate professor with 99 employees.

This chart shows the gender split between each academic rank present at Western Kentucky University.

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