What does it cost to attend Western Kentucky University?
The 2024 tuition & fees of Western Kentucky University is $11,436 for in-state and $27,000 for out-of-state students. WKU's tuition & fees is lower than previous year.
Its tuition & fees is a little bit lower than the average tuition for Doctoral / Research University (not R1, R2)' tuition of $31,004 based on out-of-state tuition rate.
Based on the last year increase rate, The 2025 estimated tuition & fees at 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 2024 Tuition & Fees
| Year | In-State | Out-of-State | Doctoral / Research University (not R1, R2)' Average |
|---|
| 2022-2023 | $11,112 |
$27,072 | $30,145 |
| 2023-2024 | $11,436 | $27,000 | $31,004 |
| Change % 2023-2024 | 2.92% | -0.27% | 2.85% |
| 2024-2025 Estimate | $11,769 | $26,928 | $31,886 |
How much do you actually pay at WKU?
The living costs at WKU is $14,452 when living on campus. The on-campus living costs increased by 8.37% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 9.05%.
The WKU's 2024 COA is $26,888 for in-state and $42,452 for out-of-state students for whom living on campus. The off-campus COA is $30,541 for in-state and $46,105 for out-of-state students.
85% of enrolled 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 in-state and $33,953 for out-of-state students..
Western Kentucky University 2024 Cost of Attendance (COA) | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|
| In-State | Out-State | In-State | Out-State |
|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $11,436 | $27,000 | $11,436 | $27,000 |
|---|
| Room & Board | $12,043 | $12,043 |
|---|
| Personal Expenses | $2,409 | $6,062 |
|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 |
|---|
| COA | $26,888 | $42,452 | $30,541 | $46,105 |
|---|
| COA with Financial Aid | $18,389 | $33,953 | $22,042 | $37,606 |
|---|
WKU 4-Years Tuition
How Much is WKU tuition for 4 years?
WKU's 4-years tuition is $46,560 for in-state and $107,820 for out-of-state students, based on current tuition and change rate.
Since the tuition & fees at Western Kentucky University have decreased over the last 4 years, the estimated tuition & fees are less than current cost. The actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or university system's tuition policy.
WKU 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
| Residency | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024) | In-State | $11,517 | $11,599 | $11,681 | $11,763 | $46,560 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,982 | $26,964 | $26,946 | $26,928 | $107,820 |
| Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025) | In-State | $11,599 | $11,681 | $11,763 | $11,847 | $46,890 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,964 | $26,946 | $26,928 | $26,910 | $107,748 |
| Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026) | In-State | $11,681 | $11,763 | $11,847 | $11,931 | $47,222 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,946 | $26,928 | $26,910 | $26,892 | $107,676 |
| Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027) | In-State | $11,763 | $11,847 | $11,931 | $12,015 | $47,556 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,928 | $26,910 | $26,892 | $26,874 | $107,605 |
| Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028) | In-State | $11,847 | $11,931 | $12,015 | $12,100 | $47,893 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,910 | $26,892 | $26,874 | $26,856 | $107,533 |
Net Price for 4 Years at WKU
Based on recent tuition increase rate, for the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $111,212 for Kentucky residents and $172,473 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 | $27,248 | $27,614 | $27,986 | $28,364 | $111,212 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $42,713 | $42,979 | $43,251 | $43,529 | $172,473 |
| Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025) | In-State | $27,614 | $27,986 | $28,364 | $28,749 | $112,713 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $42,979 | $43,251 | $43,529 | $43,812 | $173,572 |
| Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026) | In-State | $27,986 | $28,364 | $28,749 | $29,140 | $114,238 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $43,251 | $43,529 | $43,812 | $44,101 | $174,693 |
| Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027) | In-State | $28,364 | $28,749 | $29,140 | $29,537 | $115,789 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $43,529 | $43,812 | $44,101 | $44,396 | $175,838 |
| Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028) | In-State | $28,749 | $29,140 | $29,537 | $29,941 | $117,366 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $43,812 | $44,101 | $44,396 | $44,697 | $177,006 |
Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $77,216 for Kentucky residents and $138,477 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 | $18,749 | $19,115 | $19,487 | $19,865 | $77,216 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $34,214 | $34,480 | $34,752 | $35,030 | $138,477 |
| Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025) | In-State | $19,115 | $19,487 | $19,865 | $20,250 | $78,717 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $34,480 | $34,752 | $35,030 | $35,313 | $139,576 |
| Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026) | In-State | $19,487 | $19,865 | $20,250 | $20,641 | $80,242 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $34,752 | $35,030 | $35,313 | $35,602 | $140,697 |
| Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027) | In-State | $19,865 | $20,250 | $20,641 | $21,038 | $81,793 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $35,030 | $35,313 | $35,602 | $35,897 | $141,842 |
| Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028) | In-State | $20,250 | $20,641 | $21,038 | $21,442 | $83,370 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $35,313 | $35,602 | $35,897 | $36,198 | $143,010 |
WKU's Graduate Tuition
The graduate school tuition at Western Kentucky University is $12,140 for in-state and $18,340 for out-of-state studetns. Detailed graduate program tuition and majors can be found at WKU gradute program page.
WKU Graduate Tuition & Fees
| Year | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| 2022-2023 | $12,140 |
$18,340 |
| 2023-2024 | $12,140 | $18,340 |
| Change % 2023-2024 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
|---|
| 2024-2025 | $12,140 | $18,340 |
Tuition Per Credit Hour
For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at WKU 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 at WKU
| Year | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | 2022-2023 | $463 | $1,128 |
|---|
| 2023-2024 | $477 | $1,125 |
|---|
| 2024-2025 (Estimate) | $491 | $1,122 |
|---|
| Graduate | 2022-2023 | $607 | $917 |
|---|
| 2023-2024 | $607 | $917 |
|---|
| 2024-2025 (Estimate) | $607 | $917 |
|---|
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.
Compare Tuition with Similar Colleges
The following table compares tuition & fees between Western Kentucky University and its similar schools.
Tuition Comparison between WKU and Similar Colleges
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Western Kentucky University | $11,436 | $27,000 |
|---|
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | $7,214 | $21,876 |
|---|
| Louisiana Tech University | $10,125 | $16,866 |
|---|
| University of North Texas | $11,164 | $21,244 |
|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University | $9,506 | $29,042 |
|---|
| Marshall University | $8,942 | $20,294 |
|---|