Western Kentucky University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Western Kentucky University students was $11,112 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.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

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

Does Western Kentucky University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Western Kentucky University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,112 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered KY-residents, out-of-state tuition is $27,000 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save significant money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other KY colleges

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

HILLTOPPERS 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.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or HILLTOPPERS-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at HILLTOPPERS:

•HILLTOPPERS-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 Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at HILLTOPPERS.

Room and Board Costs at HILLTOPPERS

Housing and campus dining at HILLTOPPERS costs $13,010 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the HILLTOPPERS's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

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

How Much Do Books Cost at HILLTOPPERS?

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 books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at HILLTOPPERS

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At HILLTOPPERS, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city might be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Western Kentucky Universityis in a suburban setting in KY, near Nashville.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Western Kentucky University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to HILLTOPPERS.

How Much Does HILLTOPPERS Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,112
Out-of-State Tuition	$27,000
Room and Board	$13,010

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 2022, 7,128 of the 15,895 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. HILLTOPPERS meets 21% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,346 a year. Around 58% of HILLTOPPERS undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. HILLTOPPERS graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $27,130 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$23,382
Private Loans	$25,363

Most Common Loans for HILLTOPPERS Students
Federal Loans	57%
Private loans	9%

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 HILLTOPPERS 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 2022, HILLTOPPERS awarded 4,275 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $28.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $58.29 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Western Kentucky University Net Cost

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 HILLTOPPERS 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 HILLTOPPERS was $15,346 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of HILLTOPPERS seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-5,706
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-3,370
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$25,528

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 HILLTOPPERS 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 HILLTOPPERS'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.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

HILLTOPPERS Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

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

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Learn More About Western Kentucky University

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