Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
About This Campus
Western Kentucky University is a comprehensive research-based university. WKU's mission is to prepare students to be productive, engaged leaders in a global society. WKU aspires to be the university of choice for students who are dedicated to academic excellence. The university offers an inviting, nurturing, and challenging environment, responsive to the intellectual, social, and cultural needs of a diverse learning community. The Spirit on WKU's campus is dynamic and upbeat, with Bowling Green being a quintessential college town and campus at its center. WKU offers countless ways for students to be involved on campus, from over 350 student organizations and leadership/volunteerism opportunities to a robust intramural sports program and outdoor recreation activities center. WKU also presents a series of cultural advancement programs each year, including musical performances and presentations by artists, activists, and authors. We are always excited to welcome NSE students to campus.
Helpful Information
The cost of off-campus housing, food and other life necessities is lower than many larger U.S. cities. While we recommend that students live on-campus, there are several off-campus options within walking distance to campus. WKU offers an excellent bus system travelling to the historical downtown square and main shopping centers. Once you experience being a Hilltopper, you will remain one for life. Go Tops!
Location Information
Located in the heart of Kentucky's third-largest city, our hilltop campus is a place of beauty and friendliness. Whether you're looking to explore the natural world, walk to a restaurant downtown, or catch a sporting event, Bowling Green has a variety of attractions for WKU students and their families to enjoy. Additionally, Bowling Green is located approximately 110 miles south of Louisville and 65 miles north of Nashville, making it easy to travel to other regional destinations. From the many city parks to the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center and the Bowling Green Ballpark, home to the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the community offers your choice of activities. We are also within 30 minutes of Mammoth Cave National Park.
Academics
REGISTRATION:
- Course Catalog
- Schedule of Classes
- Majors and Minors Website
- Registration Timing: According to Class Standing
TERM DATES:
Fall Start Date: 08/24/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/10/2026
Spring Start Date: 01/19/2027 - Spring End Date: 05/06/2027
CLOSED PROGRAMS:
Chinese Flagship, Communication Disorders (Speech Language Pathology), Dental Hygiene, Nursing
RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:
Courses in the following majors may be difficult to access because of prerequisites, auditions, priorities for majors and other conditions. Engineering, Honors College, Health and Human Services (Public Health, Environmental Health Science, Health Care Administration, Exercise Science), College of Business (all departments), Journalism and Broadcasting, Teacher Education, Computer Information Systems, Systems Management, Music, Dance.
NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
- Engineering
- Journalism & Broadcasting
- Public Relations
OPTIONS:
Honors Access: Yes
UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Advertising
- African American Studies
- African Studies
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Education
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- American Studies
- Animal Sciences
- Anthropology
- Apparel/Fashion Design
- Applied Biology
- Applied Mathematics
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art
- Art Education
- Art History
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biology/Life Science
- Botany/Plant Sciences
- Broadcasting
- Business Administration
- Business Information Systems
- Business Management
- Cell Biology
- Ceramic Art/Ceramics
- Chemistry
- Child Development
- Chinese
- Civil Engineering
- Coaching
- Communication
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Computer and Information Science
- Computer Game Design
- Construction Management
- Creative Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Culinary Arts
- Dance
- Data Processing
- Dietetics
- Drawing
- Early Childhood Education
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Elementary Education
- English
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Health Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Exercise Science
- Family Consumer Science
- Family Studies
- Fashion/Retail Merchandising
- Film
- Finance/Banking
- Fine Art
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Government
- Graphic Design
- Health Administration
- History
- Horticulture
- Hospitality Management
- Human Resource Management
- Interior Design
- International Business
- International Relations
- International Studies
- Journalism
- Junior High/Middle School Education
- Kinesiology
- Literature
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technology
- Meteorology
- Military Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Music Education
- Music Theory and Composition
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Nutrition
- Organizational Communications
- Painting
- Performing Arts: Voice
- Philosophy
- Photo Journalism
- Photography
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Physiology
- Planetary and Space Sciences
- Plant Science
- Political Science
- Pre-Law
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Printmaking
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Recreation Management
- Religious Studies/Theology
- Rural Sociology
- Sculpture
- Secondary Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Soil Science
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Sports and Leisure Studies
- Sports Management/Administration
- Studio Art
- Supply Chain Management
- Surveying
- Sustainable Resource Management
- Teacher Education
- Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
- Technical Writing
- Theater Arts/Drama/Acting
- Tourism Management
- Urban Studies
- Visual Arts
- Water Management
- Wildlife Biology
- Wildlife Management
- Women and Gender Studies
Conditions
GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
- General Eligibility Requirements
- 2.5 - GPA Required
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
- Full Year Exchange: Accepted
- Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
- Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
- Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?Home or Away
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
- Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No
- Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? - J1 Visa
Tuition/Finance
TUITION:
- Campus Budget
- Fees are subject to change without notice
- Home Tuition Payment: Available
-
Away Tuition Payment: Available
Estimated cost:
Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $6612
Per Term Mandatory Fees - $0
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
- Home Payment: 18
- Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The housing damage deposit is refundable based on check out status. The Meal Flex Plan is applied to a student's account if they are not enrolled in a traditional meal plan- this applies to both students living on & off campus. The amount of the Flex Plan will be loaded onto the student's WKU ID card and can be used to pay for meals at any of WKU's on-campus restaurant locations.
Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.
Room/Meals
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
- Is on-campus housing available? Yes
- Is on-campus living required? No
- Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
- Average Room Cost (per term): $3400
- On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:
Students with less than 60 hours earned at time of exchange are required to live on campus.
MEAL PLANS:
- Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
- Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
- Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2000
- Campus Meal Plans
Chance of Acceptance
Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27
If this is your top choice campus...
Home Tuition Payment Plan
This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.
Away Tuition Payment Plan
This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!
If this is your alternate choice campus...
Home Tuition Payment Plan
This campus usually accepts less than 50% of students that request it. Be prepared to be placed at an alternative choice. If applying to a site with a 'limited' chance of placement, we suggest that you list a minimum of 3-5 campuses on your application, with one to two sites that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.
Away Tuition Payment Plan
This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!