Bowling Green, KY · Private University
Is Western Kentucky University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$43,889
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,436
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,000
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$108,000
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.63x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
12.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,095
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,916
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Western Kentucky University graduates earn $1,111 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Western Kentucky University ranked by graduate earnings
21 graduates
35 graduates
18 graduates
54 graduates
26 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Western Kentucky University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Western Kentucky University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $83,980) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $22,884) is $61,096/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $83,980 | 3.1x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $75,677 | 2.8x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $72,494 | 2.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $70,968 | 2.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $64,510 | 2.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,606 | 2.3x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $59,662 | 2.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,675 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,321 | 2.1x |
| Economics | $55,446 | 2.0x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,925 | 2.0x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,537 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $53,494 | 2.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $49,823 | 1.9x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $47,624 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,395 | 1.8x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $46,295 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $43,807 | 1.6x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $42,712 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $42,555 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,080 | 1.5x |
| Social Sciences, General | $41,015 | 1.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $40,846 | 1.5x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $40,769 | 1.5x |
| Criminology | $40,742 | 1.5x |
| Music | $40,693 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $40,336 | 1.5x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,098 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $40,022 | 1.5x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $39,614 | 1.5x |
| Agriculture, General | $39,224 | 1.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $38,807 | 1.4x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $38,627 | 1.4x |
| History | $38,121 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,071 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $36,863 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,801 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,506 | 1.3x |
| Social Work | $35,206 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,406 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,939 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $32,783 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $29,006 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,243 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $22,884 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Western Kentucky University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $43,889 10 years after starting, $1,111 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 12.1 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.