Western Kentucky University

What are the graduation rates for students at Western Kentucky University?

Western Kentucky University exhibits an average overall graduation rate of 54%, placing it in the lower 45th percentile nationally. Male students graduate at a slightly lower rate of 46%, which ranks in the bottom 40%, while female students have a graduation rate of 59%, also within the lower 45th percentile. These figures suggest that just over half of the enrolled students complete their degrees within the typical timeframe.

The university's four-year graduation rate stands at 42%, positioning it near the median range at the 48th percentile, indicating that less than half of the students finish their programs within four years. Meanwhile, the six-year graduation rate improves somewhat to 56%, still falling within the bottom half nationally but reflecting that some students take longer to complete their studies. Retention rates, an indicator of first-year student persistence, are somewhat stronger at 78%, ranking in the top 45%, which implies a reasonable proportion of students continue their studies beyond the first year.

Although specific graduation rates by major are not provided, the data reveals areas of academic concentration that may interest prospective students. Popular undergraduate fields include Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services with 494 degrees awarded, Education with 172, and Social Sciences with 175 graduates. Graduate programs also see significant enrollment in Education (140 graduates), Health Professions and Related Programs (150), and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (177).

What is the earning potential for graduates at Western Kentucky University?

Graduates of Western Kentucky University experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Engineering disciplines stand out with some of the highest post-graduation salaries. For instance, Mechanical Engineering graduates report earnings around $65,193, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates earn approximately $62,199, and Civil Engineering graduates see initial incomes near $50,759. Construction Engineering Technologies and Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians also deliver respectable earnings, at $49,992 and $53,704 respectively.

In the realm of computer-related fields, Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn roughly $50,723, while Management Information Systems and Services graduates make about $39,708, showing strong financial prospects for technology-focused students.

Business-related programs similarly offer competitive entry salaries. Graduates in Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods report earnings near $42,030, close to Finance and Financial Management Services at $39,676, Business Administration, Management and Operations around $39,143, Marketing at $39,467, and Accounting and Related Services about $39,657.

Health sciences also provide solid earning opportunities, with Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earning $56,172 on average. Other health-related fields such as Dental Support Services and Allied Professions offer initial salaries of approximately $45,701, while Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates earn close to $35,676.

Among the social sciences and education-related fields, special education and teaching-related graduates have earnings ranging from about $29,036 to $32,830. Degrees in Social Work report a beginning earning of $31,481, while Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn around $31,267.

Some arts and humanities fields yield more modest incomes, such as Fine and Studio Arts at $24,392, Drama and Theatre Arts around $19,816, and Music at $19,447. Communication and Media Studies graduates earn approximately $30,770, which is comparatively higher within the liberal arts spectrum.

Several other disciplines show earnings near or just below the $30,000 mark, including Political Science and Government ($29,110), Psychology ($24,666), and Economics ($40,663), demonstrating variability within the social sciences cohort.