Western Kentucky University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at HILLTOPPERS was $11,436 a year for in-state students and $27,000 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

International students can expect to pay 27,648 per year for tuition at Western Kentucky University.

Western Kentucky University meets 24% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Western Kentucky University full-time are awarded $16,635 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $25,875 per student, not including those with no debt.

Western Kentucky University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Western Kentucky University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,436 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered KY-residents, out-of-state tuition is $27,000 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other KY colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Western Kentucky University?

Western Kentucky University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Western Kentucky University usually pay around $27,648 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Western Kentucky University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Western Kentucky University:

•Western Kentucky University-specific loans •Western Kentucky University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Western Kentucky University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Western Kentucky University.

Room and Board Costs at Western Kentucky University

Housing and campus dining at Western Kentucky University is $13,126 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Western Kentucky University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Western Kentucky University

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is usually expensive, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Western Kentucky University campus is located in a suburb in KY, not far from Nashville.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Western Kentucky University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Western Kentucky University.

How Much Does Western Kentucky University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Western Kentucky University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,436
Out-of-State Tuition	$27,000
Room and Board	$13,126

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Western Kentucky University

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In 2023, 6,830 of the 14,440 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Kentucky University meets 24% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,635 a year. Around 57% of Western Kentucky University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Western Kentucky University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $25,875 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,825
Private Loans	$24,427

Most Common Loans for Western Kentucky University Students
Federal Loans	56%
Private loans	10%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Western Kentucky University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Western Kentucky University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Western Kentucky University awarded 4,050 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $29.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $64.19 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Western Kentucky University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Western Kentucky University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Western Kentucky University was $16,635 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Western Kentucky University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-7,844
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-4,335
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$24,355

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Western Kentucky University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Western Kentucky University's net cost calculator on their website.

Western Kentucky University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Western Kentucky University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Western Kentucky University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

HILLTOPPERS Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

HILLTOPPERS has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Western Kentucky University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Western Kentucky University's endowment was valued at $218 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $9,266 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Western Kentucky University

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To learn more about Western Kentucky University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

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