Lexington, KY Overview
University of Kentucky is a public 4-year college located in Lexington, Kentucky. There are currently 22,115 undergraduates at Kentucky and the school’s acceptance rate is 95%. The tuition at Kentucky is $12,859 for in-state students and $32,276 for out-of-state.
University
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
22,115
Pell Grant 21%
Undergrad Students Over 25 7%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 6%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at Kentucky
76% White
7% Black
6% Hispanic
4% Multiracial
4% Asian / Pacific Islander
2% International / Non-Citizen
2% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1
Graduation Rate
69%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
19%
19% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
13%
13% of graduates
Engineering
10%
10% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
8%
8% of graduates
Education
7%
7% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$33,065
$36,154
$16,328
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$33,065for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$52,482for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Kentucky is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Kentucky is $33,065 for in-state students in KY, and $52,482 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Kentucky would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Kentucky scholarships
University of Kentucky Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of Kentucky need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of Kentucky is 001989.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at University of Kentucky? Kentucky offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Kentucky's website for more information!
Pell Grants at University of Kentucky
23% of students at University of Kentucky receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of Kentucky.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Kentucky students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
95%
26
1181 is the median SAT score and 26 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Kentucky. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
Kentucky is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Kentucky via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Is Kentucky test-optional?
University of Kentucky is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into University of Kentucky?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to University of Kentucky receive between a 21 and a 28 on their ACT, or a 1045 and a 1270 on their SAT.
Early Action
Rolling deadline at Kentucky
University of Kentucky accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Kentucky's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Should I apply Early Action at Kentucky?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$59,025
Median Debt $22,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $239
Graduation Rate 69%
What is the graduation rate at University of Kentucky?
69% of students who start at University of Kentucky end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 11% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of Kentucky go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of Kentucky, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $59,025. This is $8,634 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Kentucky take out in loans?
Graduates of Kentucky have to take out a median of $22,500 in federal student loans. This is $9,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.