Paying for Western Kentucky University

	In-State	Out-of-State
2024 Undergraduate Tuition & Fee	$11,436 2.92%	$27,000 -0.27%
2024 Graduate Tuition & Fee	$12,140	$18,340

The 2024 tuition & fees of Western Kentucky University (WKU) are $11,436 for Kentucky residents and $27,000 for out-of-state students. Its tuition & fees is higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $19,547 based on out-of-state tuition rate. The tuition & fee is lower than last year (2023) at WKU.

85% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarships and the average aid amount is $8,499. It could cover 31.48% of full tuition amount. After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $18,389 for Kentucky residents and $33,953 for out-of-state students including tuition, fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs.

WKU's 4-year tuition is $47,351 for Kentucky residents and $109,266 for out-of-state students, based on current tuition and change rate. The estimated 4-year COA including living costs and personal expenses is $115,202 for Kentucky residents and $177,117 for out-of-state students.

Tuition Analysis Tools

Trends Financial Aid Kentucky Tuition Get Info

Tuition, Fees, Living Costs, and Cost of Attendance (COA)

Undergraduate Program Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2023-2024, the undergraduate tuition & fees at Western Kentucky University is $11,436 for Kentucky residents and $27,000 for out-of-state students. It has been risen by 2.92% for Kentucky residents and decreased by -0.27% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. Its in-state undergraduate tuition & fees is a little bit higher than the average amount ($10,123) and its out-of-state undergraduate tuition & fees is higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $19,547.

The 2025 estimated undergraduate tuition & fees of WKU is $11,769 for Kentucky residents and $26,928 for out-of-state students, a 0.3% decrease compared to 2024's rate.

WKU Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
Year	In-State	Out-of-State	On Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023	$11,112	$27,072	$13,336
2023-2024	$11,436	$27,000	$14,452
Change % 2023-2024	2.92%	-0.27%	8.37%
2024-2025	$11,769	$26,928	$15,661

Graduate Program Tuition & Fees

For graduate programs, the in-state graduate tuition & fees is $12,140 and out-of-state tuition & fees is $18,340. Its in-state graduate tuition & fees is a little bit higher than the average amount ($10,588) and its out-of-state graduate tuition & fees is around the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $18,149.

The 2025 estimated tuition & fees at WKU is $12,140 for Kentucky residents and $18,340 for out-of-state students , the same as current year.

WKU Graduate Tuition & Fees
Year	In-State	Out-of-State	On Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023	$12,140	$18,340	$13,336
2023-2024	$12,140	$18,340	$14,452
Change % 2023-2024	0.00%	0.00%	8.37%
2024-2025	$12,140	$18,340	$15,661

Cost Per Credit Hour

The below table describes the cost per credit hour for part-time students and/or full-time students who take additional courses more than regular credit hours at WKU. The undergraduate cost per credit hour is $477 for Kentucky residents and $1,125 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $607 for Kentucky residents and $917 for out-of-state students.

Per Credit Hour Charge (2023-2024)
	Year	In-State	Out-of-State
Undergraduate	2022-2023	$463	$1,128
	2023-2024	$477	$1,125
	2024-2025	$491	$1,122
Graduate	2022-2023	$607	$917
	2023-2024	$607	$917
	2024-2025	$607	$917

Cost of Attendance with Living Costs and Books & Supplies

The living costs including for room, board, transpiration, and other personal expenses is $14,452 for year 2024. The on-campus living costs increased by 8.37% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 9.05% compared to the previous year.

The WKU's 2024 on-campus COA is $26,888 for state residents and $42,452 for out-of-state students. The off-campus COA is $30,541 for state residents and $46,105 for out-of-state students.

2024 Cost of Attendance (COA) At WKU
	On-Campus	Off Campus
Tuition & Fees (In-State)	$11,436
Tuition & Fees (Out-of-State)	$27,000
Room & Board	$12,043	$12,043
Personal Expenses	$2,409	$6,062
Books & Supplies	$1,000
COA (In-State)	$26,888	$30,541
COA (Out-of-State)	$42,452	$46,105

Data source: IPEDS (integrated Postsecondary Education Dta System)

Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)

Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.

WKU Tuition Charts

The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at WKU. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.

4-Years Costs of Attendance

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at WKU?

For the entering class 2024, the estimated tuition for 4 years at WKU is $47,351 for Kentucky residents and $109,266 for out-of-state students.

Since the tuition & fees at Western Kentucky University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.

The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.

WKU 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
	Residency	Freshmen	Sophomore	Junior	Senior	4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)	In-State	$11,595	$11,755	$11,918	$12,083	$47,351
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)	Out-of-State	$27,126	$27,253	$27,380	$27,508	$109,266
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)	In-State	$11,755	$11,918	$12,083	$12,251	$48,007
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)	Out-of-State	$27,253	$27,380	$27,508	$27,636	$109,776
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)	In-State	$11,918	$12,083	$12,251	$12,421	$48,673
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)	Out-of-State	$27,380	$27,508	$27,636	$27,765	$110,288
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)	In-State	$12,083	$12,251	$12,421	$12,593	$49,347
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)	Out-of-State	$27,508	$27,636	$27,765	$27,894	$110,803
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)	In-State	$12,251	$12,421	$12,593	$12,767	$50,031
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)	Out-of-State	$27,636	$27,765	$27,894	$28,025	$111,320

COA including Books, Living Costs and Personal Expenses

The table shows the 4-years estimation of total costs of attendance (COA). It includes the tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, room & board charges, and other living expenses.

For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $115,202 for Kentucky residents and $177,117 for out-of-state students.

WKU 4 Years COA
	Residency	Freshmen	Sophomore	Junior	Senior	4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)	In-State	$27,627	$28,392	$29,183	$30,001	$115,202
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)	Out-of-State	$43,159	$43,889	$44,644	$45,425	$177,117
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)	In-State	$28,392	$29,183	$30,001	$30,848	$118,423
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)	Out-of-State	$43,889	$44,644	$45,425	$46,233	$180,191
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)	In-State	$29,183	$30,001	$30,848	$31,725	$121,756
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)	Out-of-State	$44,644	$45,425	$46,233	$47,069	$183,371
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)	In-State	$30,001	$30,848	$31,725	$32,632	$125,206
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)	Out-of-State	$45,425	$46,233	$47,069	$47,934	$186,661
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)	In-State	$30,848	$31,725	$32,632	$33,571	$128,776
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)	Out-of-State	$46,233	$47,069	$47,934	$48,829	$190,064

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

Last year, 85% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarship aid. It includes any financial aid from the federal government, state, local, institute, and other sources known by the institution. It excludes federal/private student loans.

After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $81,206 for Kentucky residents and $143,121 for out-of-state students.

WKU 4 Years COA after Receiving Financial Aid
	Residency	Freshmen	Sophomore	Junior	Senior	4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)	In-State	$19,128	$19,893	$20,684	$21,502	$81,206
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)	Out-of-State	$34,660	$35,390	$36,145	$36,926	$143,121
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)	In-State	$19,893	$20,684	$21,502	$22,349	$84,427
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)	Out-of-State	$35,390	$36,145	$36,926	$37,734	$146,195
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)	In-State	$20,684	$21,502	$22,349	$23,226	$87,760
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)	Out-of-State	$36,145	$36,926	$37,734	$38,570	$149,375
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)	In-State	$21,502	$22,349	$23,226	$24,133	$91,210
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)	Out-of-State	$36,926	$37,734	$38,570	$39,435	$152,665
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)	In-State	$22,349	$23,226	$24,133	$25,072	$94,780
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)	Out-of-State	$37,734	$38,570	$39,435	$40,330	$156,068

	In-State	Out-of-State
Western Kentucky University	$11,436	$27,000
Old Dominion University	$12,262	$32,662
University of North Texas	$11,164	$21,244
Rice University	$58,128
Middle Tennessee State University	$9,506	$29,042
The University of Texas at El Paso	$9,544	$25,512