College Grad Analyst
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Kentucky · Public · Predominantly bachelor's

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky. 12,267 undergraduate students. 215 programs in the federal Field-of-Study dataset.

UNITID 157951 · OPEID 002002 · IPEDS HDVINTAGE · COLLEGE SCORECARD · 2025-05 · HISTORY 1996–2024
ANOMALY ENGINE · NOTABLE SIGNALS

Earnings, completion, debt, and enrollment anomalies at Western Kentucky University

Short-arc shifts (recent 3-year window), peer outliers, earnings trend breaks, completion drops, enrollment cliffs, and debt-to-earnings warnings — surfaced deterministically from the federal record. Multi-decade shifts are reported separately in the Long Arc section, since 25-year tuition drift isn't really an anomaly.

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER-100%

3-year cohort default rate

3-year cohort default rate at Western Kentucky University fell 100% between 2021 and 2024 (2.1% → 0.0%).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER+10%

100%-time completion

100%-time completion at Western Kentucky University rose 10% between 2021 and 2024 (40.1% → 44.2%).

SECTION 01 · OUTCOMES SNAPSHOT

Western Kentucky University earnings, debt, and completion vs. the Kentucky median

Each tile compares this institution to the Kentucky median for the same metric. Sub-line shows the comparison value, not an interpretation. Sparklines trace the federally available history.

MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10Y
$43,889+15% · 6→10y
Kentucky median $37,114
MEDIAN EARNINGS · 6Y
$38,156
Treasury earnings · 6y post-entry
COMPLETION · 150%
53.7%+55% · '97→'24
Kentucky median 49.7%
MEDIAN FEDERAL DEBT
$14,702+531% · '97→'20
At program completion
UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT
12,267+0% · '96→'24
latest IPEDS
RETENTION
78.0%+9% · '04→'24
first-time, full-time
ADMISSION RATE
97.0%+7% · '01→'24
latest cohort
IN-STATE TUITION
$11,436+360% · '00→'24
out-of-state $27,000
SECTION 02 · EARNINGS HORIZONS

How Western Kentucky University earnings spread, 4 to 10 years after entry

Treasury tax-record earnings for federally aided students who first enrolled at this institution. Each point is a horizon from the most-recent vintage. Single median per horizon (no p25/p75 publishing).

ALL FEDERALLY AIDED STUDENTS · TAX-RECORD EARNINGSVINTAGE 2025-05
Earnings widen with time post-entry. Selection: federal-aid recipients only — not all graduates.Methodology →
SECTION 03 · DEBT-TO-EARNINGS

What loans cost relative to earnings at Western Kentucky University

Annual debt service as a share of median earnings 10 years after entry, computed under federal Direct loan terms (10-year fixed at 6%). The 8% line is the gainful-employment threshold from federal regulation; above 12% has historically been considered “failing” under prior rule cycles.

Institution-wide

4.5%
0%8% · GE20%+

Median federal debt $14,702 amortized over 10 years vs. median earnings $43,889 (10y after entry).

SECTION 04 · LONG ARC

Western Kentucky University enrollment, completion, and debt over time

Federally available history. Coverage varies by metric — IPEDS publishes some series only after 2009 and others only before.

UNDERGRAD · 1996–202412,155
16,54512,01819962024
Undergraduate enrollment.IPEDS EF
COMPLETION 150% · 1997–202455.6%
56%34%19972024
150%-time completion rate.IPEDS GR
MEDIAN DEBT · 1997–2020$22,095
$24,000$3,50019972020
Median federal student debt at exit.SCORECARD
COMPLETION · 150% · 1997→2024+55%

Western Kentucky University · completion · 150% rose

35.9% → 55.6%

COMPLETION · 100% · 1997→2024+226%

Western Kentucky University · completion · 100% rose

13.6% → 44.2%

IN-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+360%

Western Kentucky University · in-state tuition rose

$2,534 → $11,652

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+295%

Western Kentucky University · out-of-state tuition rose

$6,834 → $27,000

MEDIAN DEBT · 1997→2020+531%

Western Kentucky University · median debt rose

$3,500 → $22,095

COHORT DEFAULT RATE · 2011→2024-100%

Western Kentucky University · cohort default rate fell

12.1% → 0.0%

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_10YR · 2007→2020+22%

Western Kentucky University · earnings_median_10yr rose

$36,000 → $43,889

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_8YR · 2005→2020+23%

Western Kentucky University · earnings_median_8yr rose

$33,200 → $40,920

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_6YR · 2003→2020+28%

Western Kentucky University · earnings_median_6yr rose

$29,900 → $38,156

SECTION 05 · PROGRAMS

Western Kentucky University programs ranked by 5-year earnings

Each row is one (CIP × credential) program reported by the institution in College Scorecard's Field-of-Study data. Cohort floor is 30 students; below this, federal data is suppressed.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Master's Degree$105,17011 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringCIP 1410 · Bachelor's Degree$91,31527 gradsConstruction Engineering TechnologiesCIP 1510 · Bachelor's Degree$89,8060 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Master's Degree$81,177202 gradsRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 5123 · Doctoral Degree$78,113—Mechanical EngineeringCIP 1419 · Bachelor's Degree$77,33650 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Bachelor's Degree$75,333185 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesCIP 5107 · Master's Degree$74,45615 gradsIndustrial Production Technologies/TechniciansCIP 1506 · Bachelor's Degree$72,87333 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesCIP 5203 · Bachelor's Degree$71,61764 gradsCivil EngineeringCIP 1408 · Bachelor's Degree$69,46235 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesCIP 5107 · Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma$68,26926 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Associate's Degree$66,983101 gradsFinance and Financial Management ServicesCIP 5208 · Bachelor's Degree$66,69355 gradsComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralCIP 1101 · Bachelor's Degree$62,79848 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCIP 5102 · Master's Degree$62,31864 gradsArchitectural Sciences and TechnologyCIP 0409 · Bachelor's Degree$61,00118 gradsManagement Information Systems and ServicesCIP 5212 · Bachelor's Degree$60,20223 gradsMarketingCIP 5214 · Bachelor's Degree$58,688104 gradsParks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities ManagementCIP 3103 · Master's Degree$57,77072 gradsBiology, GeneralCIP 2601 · Bachelor's Degree$57,509117 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Bachelor's Degree$55,804220 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCIP 5102 · Bachelor's Degree$55,57930 gradsHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralCIP 5100 · Bachelor's Degree$55,23768 grads
Showing top 24 of 67 ranked programs.215 TOTAL PROGRAMS
SECTION 06 · BY CIP FAMILY

67 Western Kentucky University programs with earnings, grouped by field

Programs are grouped by 2-digit CIP family. Programs without reported earnings are hidden to keep the list focused.

COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES · CIP 11

Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBachelor's Degree$62,79848 grads

EDUCATION · CIP 13

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's Degree$40,660132 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasBachelor's Degree$41,36235 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsMaster's Degree$48,26434 gradsSpecial Education and TeachingMaster's Degree$48,87818 grads

ENGINEERING · CIP 14

Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's Degree$77,33650 gradsCivil EngineeringBachelor's Degree$69,46235 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBachelor's Degree$91,31527 grads

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES · CIP 15

Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's Degree$72,87333 gradsConstruction Engineering TechnologiesBachelor's Degree$89,8060 grads

FOREIGN LANGUAGES · CIP 16

Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsBachelor's Degree$41,40929 grads

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES · CIP 19

Apparel and TextilesBachelor's Degree$39,61441 gradsHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma$35,48619 grads

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE · CIP 23

English Language and Literature, GeneralBachelor's Degree$38,38544 grads

LIBERAL ARTS & GENERAL STUDIES · CIP 24

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesBachelor's Degree$40,352142 gradsLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate's Degree$33,18744 grads

LIBRARY SCIENCE · CIP 25

Library Science and AdministrationMaster's Degree$53,35228 grads

BIOLOGICAL & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES · CIP 26

Biology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$57,509117 grads

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS · CIP 27

MathematicsBachelor's Degree$43,85915 grads

PARKS, RECREATION & FITNESS · CIP 31

Health and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's Degree$49,122122 gradsParks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities ManagementMaster's Degree$57,77072 gradsParks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities ManagementBachelor's Degree$40,70522 gradsParks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities ManagementGraduate/Professional Certificate$51,58314 grads

PHYSICAL SCIENCES · CIP 40

ChemistryBachelor's Degree$55,01227 gradsGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesBachelor's Degree$53,56712 grads

PSYCHOLOGY · CIP 42

Psychology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$41,16798 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyMaster's Degree$53,14041 gradsPsychology, GeneralMaster's Degree$55,00815 grads

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & SOCIAL SERVICES · CIP 44

Social WorkBachelor's Degree$40,739122 gradsSocial WorkMaster's Degree$49,96853 grads

SOCIAL SCIENCES · CIP 45

SociologyBachelor's Degree$41,04755 gradsPolitical Science and GovernmentBachelor's Degree$52,86550 gradsEconomicsBachelor's Degree$54,46232 gradsSocial Sciences, GeneralBachelor's Degree$46,60822 gradsGeography and CartographyBachelor's Degree$51,88814 gradsAnthropologyBachelor's Degree$40,62112 grads

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS · CIP 50

Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's Degree$34,23641 gradsMusicBachelor's Degree$43,73535 grads

HEALTH PROFESSIONS · CIP 51

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's Degree$75,333185 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingAssociate's Degree$66,983101 gradsHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralBachelor's Degree$55,23768 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesMaster's Degree$62,31864 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesBachelor's Degree$51,69663 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesBachelor's Degree$55,57930 gradsDental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsBachelor's Degree$43,01930 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma$68,26926 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesMaster's Degree$74,45615 gradsPublic HealthBachelor's Degree$51,77312 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingMaster's Degree$105,17011 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative ServicesAssociate's Degree$40,6950 gradsRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsDoctoral Degree$78,113—

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & MARKETING · CIP 52

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's Degree$55,804220 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's Degree$81,177202 gradsMarketingBachelor's Degree$58,688104 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesBachelor's Degree$71,61764 gradsFinance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's Degree$66,69355 gradsHospitality Administration/ManagementBachelor's Degree$44,21131 gradsManagement Information Systems and ServicesBachelor's Degree$60,20223 gradsFinance and Financial Management ServicesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma$35,7968 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsAssociate's Degree$44,2856 grads

HISTORY · CIP 54

HistoryBachelor's Degree$44,44645 grads

AGRICULTURE · CIP 01

Agriculture, GeneralBachelor's Degree$45,05565 grads

ARCHITECTURE · CIP 04

Architectural Sciences and TechnologyBachelor's Degree$61,00118 grads

COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM · CIP 09

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor's Degree$49,05689 gradsJournalismBachelor's Degree$43,57265 gradsCommunication and Media StudiesBachelor's Degree$45,75430 gradsRadio, Television, and Digital CommunicationBachelor's Degree$40,61716 grads
FINANCIAL OUTCOME · ILLUSTRATION

Estimate the financial outcome at Western Kentucky University

Pick a program. Cost from Scorecard net price by family income; earnings from Treasury 5-year-post-completion median, projected forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve. The selection-bias toggle applies the Dale-Krueger shrinkage. Outcomes illustration, not a forecast — see methodology.

Shrinks the earnings premium toward the matched-applicant mean. STEM <15%, business ~40%, arts & education ~60%.

NET PRESENT VALUE
$374,528
Over 40 years, discounted 5.0%
BREAKEVEN
Year 11
First year cumulative discounted earnings cross zero
graduationbreakeven · year 11year 0year 39
Cost per year
$17,417
HS-only baseline · KY
$33,900
Years to complete
4
CIP family
52

Outcomes illustration · not a forecast. Projects observed Scorecard earnings forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve under your assumptions. See methodology for the math.

SECTION 07 · SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

Institutions similar to Western Kentucky University in Kentucky

Picked by Carnegie sector × predominant credential level. These are not rankings — just nearest-neighbour surfaces for comparison.

RICHMOND$45.8k

Eastern Kentucky University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 50% completion
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS$50.2k

Northern Kentucky University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 48% completion
MURRAY$44.7k

Murray State University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 60% completion
MOREHEAD$43.2k

Morehead State University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 48% completion
LOUISVILLE$53.9k

Louisville

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 61% completion
CAUSAL DISCIPLINE

“Western Kentucky University graduates earn $X” — not “Western Kentucky University makes you earn $X”

Median earnings describe what cohorts earned. They do not describe what attending Western Kentucky University caused. Selection effects (who admits, who enrolls, who completes) are real. We publish federal data with strict descriptive phrasing — and link the methodology where you can read about the limitations directly.

Methodology →