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2026 Rankings for Western Kentucky University

What ranking badges has WKU received from College Factual? Any College Factual rankings and awards WKU holds are detailed on this page.

WKU received 55 ranking badges in the 2026 rankings.

Top Rankings for WKU:

#3 out of 13	#4 out of 17	#4 out of 17	#5 out of 17

WKU also offers graduate programs. See its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/western-kentucky-university/rankings/) for master's and doctorate accolades.

Ranking Highlights

• Quality Rankings
  • Best Associate Degree Colleges Ranking
  • Best Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky Ranking
  • Best Agriculture Schools in Kentucky Ranking
• Best for the Money Rankings
  • Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools Ranking
  • Best Value Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky Ranking
  • Best Value Agriculture Schools in Kentucky Ranking

How WKU Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

Top Ranked Majors

WKU has 868 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Agriculture Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best General Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best General Agriculture Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	1	View Report
Best Architectural Technology/Technician Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Biochemistry Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Organizational Leadership Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best International Business/Trade/Commerce Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best International Business/Trade/Commerce Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best International Business Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best International Business Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Advertising Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	1	View Report
Best Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region	1	1	View Report
Best Industrial Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best General Communication Sciences & Disorders Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Environmental Health Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Sports Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Sports Studies Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Recreation Administration Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best School Psychology Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Criminology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Criminology Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Criminology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Criminology Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best General Social Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best General Social Sciences Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best General Social Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best General Social Sciences Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	2	View Report
Best Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools in the Southeast Region	1	3	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Other Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Other Music Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Music Performance Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	3	View Report
Best Architectural Sciences & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Construction Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	3	View Report
Best Construction Management Schools in Kentucky	2	3	View Report
Best Construction Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	3	View Report
Best Construction Management Schools in Kentucky	2	3	View Report
Best General Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best General Hospitality Administration/Management Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Hospitality Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Hospitality Management Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Broadcast Journalism Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Broadcast Journalism Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best General Organizational Communication Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best General Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Industrial Technology/Technician Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best General Apparel & Textiles Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best General Apparel & Textiles Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Textile & Apparel Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Textile & Apparel Studies Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Speech Pathology & Audiology Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Communication Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Communication Sciences Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Dental Support Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Health Care Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	3	View Report
Best Health Care Management Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	8	View Report
Best Other Research & Experimental Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Econometrics & Quantitative Economics Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Music Performance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Music Schools in Kentucky	2	6	View Report
Best Organizational Leadership Schools in Kentucky	3	5	View Report
Best Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report
Best Business Economics Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report
Best Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report
Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report
Best Marketing/Marketing Management, General Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	8	View Report
Best Marketing/Marketing Management, General Schools in Kentucky	3	8	View Report
Best Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	8	View Report
Best Marketing Schools in Kentucky	3	8	View Report
Best General Journalism Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report
Best General Journalism Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report
Best Journalism Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	4	View Report
Best Journalism Schools in Kentucky	3	4	View Report
Best Public Relations Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	3	3	View Report

How WKU Ranks for Value

Top Value Majors

WKU has 868 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	1	View Report
Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Biochemistry Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value General Hospitality Administration/Management Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Hospitality Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Hospitality Management Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value International Business Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value International Business Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Bachelor's Degree Schools	1	8	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Schools in the Southeast Region	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Schools	1	8	View Report
Best Value General Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in Kentucky	1	4	View Report
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Apparel & Textiles Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value General Apparel & Textiles Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Textile & Apparel Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Textile & Apparel Studies Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Dental Support Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Health Care Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value Sports Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Sports Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	9	View Report
Best Value Sports Studies Schools in Kentucky	1	2	View Report
Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southeast Region	1	10	View Report
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in Kentucky	1	5	View Report
Best Value Criminology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Criminology Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Criminology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Criminology Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Economics Schools in Kentucky	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Social Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Social Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft Schools in the Southeast Region	1	5	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Kentucky	1	1	View Report
Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	6	View Report
Best Value Organizational Leadership Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in Kentucky	2	7	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	36	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Southeast Region	2	37	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	36	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Southeast Region	2	37	View Report
Best Value Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value Advertising Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value General Organizational Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value General Organizational Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	8	View Report
Best Value General Organizational Communication Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value General Organizational Communication Schools in the Southeast Region	2	10	View Report
Best Value Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Value Computer Science Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Value Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Value Computer Science Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	8	View Report
Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region	2	8	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in Kentucky	2	7	View Report
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in Kentucky	2	5	View Report
Best Value Industrial Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value Industrial Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	10	View Report
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report
Best Value Health Care Management Schools in Kentucky	2	4	View Report
Best Value Health Information Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky	2	2	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

These rankings are drawn from U.S. Department of Education data, 2026 edition.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.