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Western Kentucky University

Introduction

Western Kentucky University, also known as WKU, is a large public university located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. WKU boasts a student body of roughly 21,000 students and operates a satellite campus in Bowling Green and regional campuses in the towns on Glasgow, Elizabethtown/Fort Knox and Owensboro in addition to its main College Heights campus. It is the second-largest public university in the state.

Western Kentucky University is accredited to award associate, bachelors, masters and specialist degrees as well as the doctor of education by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Various WKU programs are also accredited by discipline-based agencies such as the American Bar Association, Kentucky State Board of Nursing, National Association of Schools of Music, and the Society of Human Resource Management.

WKU

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Information Summary

Ranks 11th in Kentucky and 898th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about) 81.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance $21,840
Admission Success rate N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores 27 / 1190
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty 19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time) 71% / 26%
Enrollment Total (all students) 19,456

Academics

Undergraduate Colleges

Western Kentucky University is comprised of six undergraduate colleges: the Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University; the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences; The Gordon Ford College of Business; the Ogden College of Science and Engineering; the Potter College of Arts and Letters; University College; and the College of Health and Human Services.

Popular Majors

Eighty undergraduate majors and seventy undergraduate minors are offered at Western Kentucky University, which lead to the following degrees: Bachelor of Engineering; Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Fine Arts; Bachelor of General Studies; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Science in Nursing; and Bachelor of Music.

Popular majors include business, management, marketing, education, communication, journalism, health progressions, and social sciences

Associate Degrees and Graduate Degree

WKU also offers several associate degrees and certificate programs as well as multiple graduate degrees.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

University Building :: Western Kentucky University Department of Physics and Astronomy :: Western Kentucky University PotterHall :: Western Kentucky University
Campus :: Western Kentucky University Van Meter Auditorium :: Western Kentucky University

Unique Programs

The Western Kentucky University Honors College, which was established in 2007, is the first and only Honors College in the state. Admission to the Honors College is separate from admission to WKU. Interested incoming freshmen that have met specific ACT / SAT score requirements, maintained an unweighted 3.8 high school GPA, and / or are in the top 15% of their graduating high school class are eligible to apply to the Honors College.

Admissions

Prospective Western Kentucky University students are fortunate to have the welcoming and accommodating WKU Office of Admissions at their disposal. Admissions representatives are on hand to answer questions, help set up meetings with counselors, schedule campus tours, assist with applying for admissions, and more.

Once they have applied to WKU, students can check their application status on the official school website.

Financial Aid

Western Kentucky University realizes that nearly all students need some type of financial assistance to help pay for tuition and the other costs associated with attending college. The university offers a variety of helpful financial aid programs for its students, including grants, student employment, loans, veterans

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4598th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Kentucky.

Students

The WKU Mission Statement explains its goal for students:

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Western Kentucky University is home to 17 athletics teams. Men

Local Community

Bowling Green is the third most populated city in the state of Kentucky. Significant employers in the area include Fruit of the Loom, Holley Performance Products, and Camping World. Western Kentucky University students can enjoy a wide variety of parks, community centers, swimming centers, and museums including the National Corvette Museum, Jackson

Alumni

Notable Western Kentucky University alumni include:

  • Julian Goodman, the former president of NBC
  • K.C. Armstrong, a former assistant producer on the Howard Stern Show
  • Matt Long, actor best known for the role of Jack on the WB’s Jack and Bobby
  • Steve Gorman, drummer in the rock band The Black Crowes
  • Larnelle Harris, a popular gospel singer
  • Virgil Livers, an NFL player
  • Kenny Perry, a pro golfer
  • Duncan Hines, the bakery company’s namesake

Bibliography

  • Grath, Anne, ed. U.S. News & World Report: Ultimate College Guide. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2010. Print.
  • Official Municipal Website of Bowling Green. Web. 9 September 2011.
  • Western Kentucky University. Web. 7 September 2011.
  • Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers. Official Home of Western Kentucky University Athletics. Web. 7 September 2011.

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