Western Kentucky University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $45,679 |
| Tuition & Fees | $22,416 |
| Living Expenses | $23,263 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $25,179 |
Cover Your $25,179 Gap
Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy students typically need $25,179 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Large gap — private loans likely required
At $25,179/year ($75,537 over the full 3-year program), the funding gap for Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.
- Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
- Ask Western Kentucky University about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Consider whether a funded alternative (research/teaching assistantship) exists in your field
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
In-State vs. Out-of-State
In-State (Resident)
Out-of-State (Non-Resident)
Out-of-state students face a $6,384 larger gap per year due to non-resident tuition surcharges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Western Kentucky University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy is $45,679 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $137,037.
What is the funding gap for Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy?
The annual funding gap is $25,179, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($45,679) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $75,537. This is below the national median of $35,126 for Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.
Is Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy classified as graduate or professional?
Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy (DPT) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Western Kentucky University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 157951.
- Program classification: DPT is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A non-resident student at Western Kentucky University Physical Therapy faces an annual funding gap of $25,179 based on a cost of attendance of $45,679 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 3 years, the total funding gap is $75,537. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.