# Western Kentucky University

> university in Kentucky, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q1474105](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1474105)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Kentucky_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/western-kentucky-university

## Summary
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, founded in 1906. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines and is recognized for its academic and athletic programs. As of 2020, it enrolled approximately 17,517 students.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1906 as a public educational institution.
- Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with coordinates 36.9875° N, 86.453° W.
- Enrolls around 17,517 students (as of 2020) and employs 2,347 staff (2020).
- Endowment of $209.5 million (2022) and $227.8 million (2021).
- Admission rate of 98% (2020) and yield rate of 37% (2020).
- Member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
- Athletic teams: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Western Kentucky University founded?
A: Western Kentucky University was founded in 1906.

### Q: Where is WKU located?
A: The university is situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at 1906 College Heights Blvd.

### Q: How many students attend WKU?
A: As of 2020, WKU had approximately 17,517 students, with 13,660 full-time equivalents reported in 2021.

### Q: What is WKU’s admission rate?
A: The admission rate was 98% in 2020, indicating a relatively open admissions policy.

### Q: What athletic conference does WKU compete in?
A: WKU’s teams, the Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers, compete in NCAA Division I as part of Conference USA.

## Why It Matters
Western Kentucky University plays a critical role in higher education in Kentucky, offering accessible academic programs to a diverse student body. With a history spanning over 115 years, it has evolved from a teachers’ college into a comprehensive public university, contributing to workforce development in fields such as business, education, and healthcare. Its research initiatives, strategic partnerships, and commitment to affordability make it a key institution in the region. WKU’s endowment growth and enrollment numbers reflect its stability and reach, serving both local and international students.

## Notable For
- **Gatton Academy**: A residential program for high-achieving high school students to earn college credits.
- **Public Accessibility**: High admission rate (98% in 2020) and large student body, emphasizing inclusivity.
- **Athletic Programs**: NCAA Division I teams with notable performances in football and basketball.
- **Carnegie Classifications**: Recognized for "master's colleges and universities: larger programs" and "very high undergraduate" engagement.
- **Historic Growth**: Evolved from Western Kentucky State Normal School (1906) to a modern research-focused institution.

## Body
### Founding and History
- Established in 1906 as Western Kentucky State Normal School.
- Renamed Western Kentucky University in 1963 after expansions in academic offerings.
- Part of Kentucky’s public university system, governed by a Board of Regents.

### Academics
- **Programs**: Over 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees across colleges like the Potter College of Arts and Sciences and the Gordon E. Holmes College of Business and Economics.
- **Accreditations**: Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
- **Notable Institutions**: Home to the Kentucky Climate Center and the National Corvette Museum’s archival collections.

### Athletics
- **Teams**: Hilltoppers (men’s) and Lady Toppers (women’s), competing in NCAA Division I Conference USA.
- **Facilities**: Primary venue at Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium (capacity: ~22,000).

### Campus and Administration
- **Location**: Main campus in Bowling Green, with satellite campuses in Glasgow, Elizabethtown, and Owensboro.
- **Endowment**: Grew from $227.8 million (2021) to $209.5 million (2022), reflecting strategic financial management.
- **Leadership**: Led by a president and governed by a 12-member Board of Regents.

### Enrollment and Demographics
- **Students**: 17,517 total (2020), with 13,660 full-time equivalents (2021).
- **Staff**: 2,347 employees (2020), including faculty and administrative roles.
- **Diversity**: Student body represents all 50 U.S. states and over 60 countries.

### Rankings and Recognition
- **Carnegie Classification**: "Master’s Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs" (2023).
- **U.S. News & World Report**: Ranked among "Top Public Schools" in the South (2023).
- **Research Output**: Classified as "High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Foundation.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120073011/https://secure.aacu.org/iMIS/AACUR/Membership/MemberListAACU.aspx)
5. [Source](https://aascu.org/our-members/)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. MusicBrainz
9. Global LEI Index
10. GeoNames
11. [Source](http://www.wku.edu)
12. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
13. GRID Release 2015-12-14
14. GRID Release 2016-12-06
15. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
16. Quora
17. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
18. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
19. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
20. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
21. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
22. National Center for Education Statistics
23. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q402)