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Summary
Western Kentucky University is a public institution that was founded in 1906. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,970, its setting is city, and the campus size is 235 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Western Kentucky University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (South), 33. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,472 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $21,000 (2012-13).
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This is an exciting time at Western Kentucky University as we become a leading American university with international reach. We are undergoing a physical, intellectual, cultural, attitudinal, academic, social and economic transformation toward becoming a nationally prominent university. As a result, WKU has become a university of choice for many students, faculty and staff. WKU possesses programs of national prominence in journalism and broadcasting, engineering, and forensics. Our alumni express a high level of satisfaction with the overall quality of their education and members of the Western Family share a spirit that is unique among institutions in American higher education. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1906 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | city |
| 2011 Endowment | $15,494,746 |
Applying
When applying to Western Kentucky University, it's important to note the application deadline is August 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due August 1. The application fee at Western Kentucky University is $40. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 91.7 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 91.7% |
| Application deadline | August 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | August 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Western Kentucky University is 19:1, and the school has 46.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Western Kentucky University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Social Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 73.2 percent.
Student Life
Western Kentucky University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,970, with a gender distribution of 41.9 percent male students and 58.1 percent female students. At this school, 29.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 71.0 percent of students live off campus. Western Kentucky University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 21,036 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
Western Kentucky University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Western Kentucky University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Western Kentucky University, 47 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at Western Kentucky University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 47% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Western Kentucky University, 67.0 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $4,865.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $8,472 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $21,000 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $7,320 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
