Western Kentucky University Acceptance Rate
Bowling Green, Kentucky · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 7,720
- Admitted
- 7,492
- Yield
- 37.7%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Western Kentucky University's acceptance rate has risen from 93.3% in 2014–15 to 97% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 8,462 to 7,720 (-9%) over that period.
Its 97% rate makes Western Kentucky University more selective than about 6% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 24 tracked Kentucky schools, it is more selective than about 8%.
Western Kentucky University has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 37.7% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 8,462 | 7,897 | 93.3% | 3,136 |
| 2015–16 | 8,957 | 8,303 | 92.7% | 3,121 |
| 2016–17 | 9,693 | 9,113 | 94% | 3,192 |
| 2017–18 | 9,804 | 9,358 | 95.5% | 3,116 |
| 2018–19 | 9,250 | 8,992 | 97.2% | 2,934 |
| 2019–20 | 8,245 | 8,019 | 97.3% | 2,714 |
| 2020–21 | 8,574 | 8,381 | 97.7% | 3,117 |
| 2021–22 | 7,255 | 7,145 | 98.5% | 2,832 |
| 2022–23 | 7,505 | 7,276 | 96.9% | 2,755 |
| 2023–24 | 7,720 | 7,492 | 97% | 2,822 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 4,818 | 4,704 | 97.6% |
| Men | 2,814 | 2,702 | 96% |
| Another gender | 70 | 68 | 97.1% |
| Unknown | 18 | 18 | 100% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 450–520 | 1% |
| SAT Math | 370–490 | |
| ACT Composite | 16–20 | 3% |
How Western Kentucky University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Western Kentucky University's acceptance rate?
Western Kentucky University's acceptance rate is 97% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (7,492 admitted of 7,720 applicants).
Is Western Kentucky University test optional?
Western Kentucky University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Western Kentucky University?
Western Kentucky University received 7,720 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 7,492.
What SAT score do you need for Western Kentucky University?
Admitted students at Western Kentucky University typically scored 450–520 on SAT Reading/Writing and 370–490 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Western Kentucky University getting harder to get into?
Western Kentucky University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 93.3% in 2014–15 to 97% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.wku.edu/.