Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 52.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 53.7%
- Retention Rate
- 78.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $43,889
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,095
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 46.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $234/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $86,696 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $76,998 | $97,736 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,009 | |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $26,502 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $26,688 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,144 | $25,269 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $60,094 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $57,318 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,281 | $22,647 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,964 | $42,706 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,897 | $11,395 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $51,551 | $21,200 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,999 | $22,772 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $18,836 |
Outcomes Overview
Western Kentucky graduates earn a median of $43,889 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 50% based on typical debt loads of $22,095. Monthly loan payments of $234 consume about 6.4% of gross income, which sits near the national average for public universities. The journalism program feeds graduates into media companies across the South, while business and education majors often stay in Kentucky's growing healthcare and service sectors. The 96.2% employment rate reflects strong regional connections, though earnings trail many peer institutions. With affordable tuition keeping debt manageable and solid job placement, Western Kentucky delivers an average return on investment for most students.