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Western Kentucky University

Middle 50% SAT
930
to
1130
Acceptance
91.4% (fall 2025 8,863 of 9,692 applicants)
Typical GPA

Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.

Western Kentucky University reports a middle 50% SAT of 930 to 1130 (enrolled, fall 2025 CDS 2025-26; 9.3% of enrollees submitted SAT). We use 1030 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.

The numbers

Middle 50% SAT930 to 1130 (enrolled, fall 2025 CDS 2025-26; 9.3% of enrollees submitted SAT)
Middle 50% ACT18 to 25
Acceptance rate91.4% (fall 2025 8,863 of 9,692 applicants)
TypePublic university

Source: WKU official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.

WKU admitted 91.4% of fall 2025 applicants; nearly 70% of its enrolled class submitted ACT scores versus under 10% SAT.

Where WKU sits among Kentucky colleges

SchoolMiddle 50% SATAcceptance
University of Kentucky1058 to 127093.3%
Bellarmine University1060 to 1260Not reported
University of Louisville1010 to 123079.4%
Murray State University970 to 117084.1%
Western Kentucky University930 to 113091.4%

Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Kentucky Colleges.

Scholarship money tied to the SAT in Kentucky

Kentucky's state scholarship, KEES, is funded mainly by a GPA earned each year of high school, but it carries a separate ACT/SAT bonus table on top of the GPA award, worth up to $500 a year by itself.

KEES GPA award (max tier): $500 per year of college for a 4.0 yearly GPA in high school, sliding down to $125 at a 2.5 GPA; paid each year of college, half per term.

KEES ACT/SAT bonus award: $36/year at the minimum qualifying score (15 ACT / 830 SAT) up to $500/year at a 27+ ACT (roughly 1260+ SAT); the highest ACT or SAT taken before graduation counts, no superscore across tests.

The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Kentucky SAT prep page.

Colleges in other states with a similar SAT range

CollegeStateMiddle 50% SAT
University of Nebraska at KearneyNebraska903 to 1158
Oakland UniversityMichigan900 to 1150
Central Connecticut State UniversityConnecticut900 to 1140
Marshall UniversityWest Virginia940 to 1140

A score that is competitive at WKU lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.

More for Kentucky families

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Quick answers

What SAT score do you need for WKU?

There is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 930 to 1130. A score at or above 1130 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 930 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.

Is WKU test-optional?

Check WKU's official admissions page for the 2026-27 testing rules. Policies change by cycle.

What is WKU's acceptance rate?

91.4% (fall 2025 8,863 of 9,692 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.

Does a score above the range guarantee admission?

No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.

Want to know what your teen needs for WKU? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.

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