Western Kentucky University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$43,889
in 2021+22% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 22% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 15% since 2010
- •Graduation rate improved by 20 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 36% | $3,500 |
| 1999 | — | — | 37% | $3,500 |
| 2000 | — | — | 34% | $3,525 |
| 2001 | — | — | 40% | $3,911 |
| 2002 | — | — | 38% | $3,938 |
| 2003 | — | — | 39% | $3,938 |
| 2004 | — | — | 42% | $3,938 |
| 2005 | — | — | 40% | $4,608 |
| 2006 | — | — | 43% | $5,250 |
| 2007 | — | — | 45% | $5,500 |
| 2008 | $36,000 | — | 45% | $5,500 |
| 2009 | — | — | 42% | $6,375 |
| 2010 | $36,300 | $9,521 | 44% | $7,750 |
| 2011 | — | $10,074 | 41% | $8,606 |
| 2012 | $34,600 | $10,760 | 43% | $9,500 |
| 2013 | $33,800 | $12,152 | 43% | $9,668 |
| 2014 | $33,800 | $10,470 | 44% | $11,250 |
| 2015 | $34,700 | $11,112 | 44% | $13,573 |
| 2016 | — | $10,948 | 43% | $14,250 |
| 2017 | — | $11,578 | 45% | $14,250 |
| 2018 | — | $11,850 | 43% | $14,250 |
| 2019 | — | $12,776 | 45% | $14,250 |
| 2020 | — | $11,962 | 48% | $15,000 |
| 2021 | $43,889 | $12,522 | 52% | $14,702 |
| 2022 | — | $11,691 | 54% | — |
| 2023 | — | $12,329 | 51% | — |
| 2024 | — | $10,916 | 54% | — |
| 2025 | — | $10,990 | 56% | — |