Western Kentucky University Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is WKU to get into?

This page provides the latest information on Western Kentucky University (WKU)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. WKU's acceptance rate is 93.87% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 9,840 students applied and 9,237 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into WKU.

To apply to WKU, it is required to submit high school GPA and record. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).

Explore Western Kentucky University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, WKU's acceptance rate is 93.87% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 30.18%. 3,622 men and 6,042 women applied to WKU and 3,357 men and 5,714 women students were accepted.

150 applicants who has another gender applied and 141 were accepted.25 accepted students' gender is unknown.

Among them, 1,067 men and 1,666 women were enrolled in WKU. You can explore the WKU's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at WKU
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants9,8403,6226,04215026
Admitted9,2373,3575,71414125
Enrolled2,7881,0671,666496
Acceptance Rate 93.87%92.68%94.57%94.00%96.15%
Yield 30.18%31.78%29.16%34.75%24.00%

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Western Kentucky University 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 15 students (3% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 72 students (3% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at WKU.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 930, including 490 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 440 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 530 and the 25th percentile is 420. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 520 and the 25th percentile is 420.

The median ACT composite score is 18, with a 75th percentile score of 21 and a 25th percentile score of 16 at WKU. The median ACT Math score is 16 and the median ACT English score is 19.

How competitive is WKU's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at Western Kentucky University are relatively low compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,056, ACT: 21 - public doctoral / research university).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at WKU
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total8409301,050
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing420490530
SAT Math420440520
ACT Composite161821
ACT Math151618
ACT English151921

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Western Kentucky University 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2024-25, total 2,788 first-year students enrolled in WKU. The proportion of full-time students is 98.74% and part-time students is 1.26%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 38.27% and women students is 59.76%. 1.76% of students has another gender and 0.22% students' gender is unknown.

The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at WKU.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at WKU
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Total2,7881,0671,666496
Full-time2,7531,0581,640496
Part-time3592600

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at WKU. The english proficiency test is required .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Western Kentucky University.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

WKU Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankNot Considered
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRequired
RecommendationsNot Considered
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesNot Considered
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestRequired
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceNot Considered
Personal statement or essayNot Considered
Legacy statusNot Considered

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to WKU:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: https://www.wku.edu/admissions/
  • Online Application: www.wku.edu/admissions/
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, 2-Years Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

WKU Admission Frequently Asked Questions

WKU is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 93.87%.
WKU recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to WKU is 930, and the average ACT score is 18. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
WKU does not require or recommend a personal essay or statement for admission. However, they may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
WKU does not require or recommend a recommendation letter for admission. However, it may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
WKU does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, WKU requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, WKU requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.

The institutional SAT code for WKU is 1901 and 4-digit ACT code is 1562.

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