2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$12,395
Net Price
98%
Admitted
40%
Enrolled
58%
Graduation Rate
18/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
Western Kentucky University
is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 16,750. In 2021, there were 403 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #4 in Kentucky and ranks #223 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
403
Total Enrollment
16,750
Type
Public, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Ranking for Western Kentucky University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Kentucky Rank
Combining ranking factors for 25 schools that offer psychology degrees in Kentucky, Western Kentucky University ranks #4.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Western Kentucky University ranks #223.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, Western Kentucky University offers General Psychology, Research Psychology and Social Work at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Counseling and Applied Psychology, Counseling Psychology, General Psychology, School Psychology and Social Work. At the doctorate level Counseling and Applied Psychology and School Psychology are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | 41 | 3 |
| Counseling Psychology | – | 35 | – |
| General Psychology | 81 | 15 | – |
| Research Psychology | 44 | – | – |
| School Psychology | – | 6 | 3 |
| Social Work | 122 | 53 | – |
| Total Graduates | 247 | 150 | 6 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 7,255 students applied to the Western Kentucky University. The university admitted 98% and 40% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Kentucky universities is 4,733. On average, all Kentucky institutions admit 77% and 26% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of Western Kentucky University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 73%. Compared to all Kentucky four or more years colleges, the percentage is 70%.
The overall graduation rate for Western Kentucky University is 58%, compared to 53% for all Kentucky universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 38%.
Compare WKU to Kentucky Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Western Kentucky University to the average of all Kentucky four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
WKU
7,255
Applicants
98%
Percent Admitted
40%
Percent Enrolled
73%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
KY Colleges
4,733
Applicants
77%
Percent Admitted
26%
Percent Enrolled
70%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
53%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 647 or 68% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 299 or 32% part-time faculty members employed at Western Kentucky University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 647 or 68%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
WKU
18 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
68%
Percent Full-Time
32%
Percent Part-Time
68%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
KY Colleges
14 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
59%
Percent Full-Time
41%
Percent Part-Time
57%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at Western Kentucky University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $10,992, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,000.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $12,140 and the average cost for graduate fees is $0.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Western Kentucky University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for Western Kentucky University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $10,708 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $2,115 |
| Total Living Expenses | $12,823 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $10,992 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,000 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $24,815 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $12,140 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $0 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $12,140 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend Western Kentucky University is $12,395. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend Western Kentucky University presented by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| $0 – $30,000 | $12,195 | $11,303 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $16,211 | $16,192 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $17,490 | $15,852 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $16,529 | $15,859 |
| $110,001 and more | $15,338 | $16,059 |
Compare Western Kentucky University to all Kentucky universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
WKU
$24,815
Cost to Attend
$7,973
Average Financial Aid
99%
Percent Receiving Aid
$12,395
Net Price
KY Colleges
$38,297
Cost to Attend
$18,595
Average Financial Aid
99%
Percent Receiving Aid
$17,031
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 3,033 or 99%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 12,578 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $7,973.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 12,578 | $7,973 |
| Pell Grants | 4,525 | $4,576 |
| Federal Student Loans | 5,931 | $6,392 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Western Kentucky University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
WKU
12,578
Grant or Scholarship Aid
55%
Grants or Scholarships
4,525
Number of Pell Grants
20%
Pell Grants
5,931
Federal Student Loans
26%
Federal Student Loans
KY Colleges
4,180
Grant or Scholarship Aid
54%
Grants or Scholarships
1,550
Number of Pell Grants
20%
Pell Grants
2,014
Federal Student Loans
26%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Kentucky.
