University of Kentucky

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, KY, offering 218 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 23,189 students, University of Kentucky serves a substantial student population.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $13,212
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $17,218 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 92.38% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 23,189 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 69.93%
  • Average SAT Score: 1213

Costs

Tuition Costs

$13,212
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Kentucky was $13,212.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$17,218
2024 Value

In 2024 University of Kentucky had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,218.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$68,872 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$17,218 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$52,848 4-Year In-State Tuition

$133,624 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for University of Kentucky.

Financial Aid by Income Level

21.50% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

34.80% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Kentucky was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

92.38% Acceptance Rate

This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

SAT Average: 1213

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5

Estimated Median GPA: 3.40

Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of Kentucky in 2024 is 23,189 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

53.87% 100% Completion Time

69.93% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 53.87% of students graduating from University of Kentucky completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for University of Kentucky.

Return on Investment

$22,500 Median Student Debt

$59,025 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

38.12% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

757.02% Return on Investment

3.8 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for University of Kentucky.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

Social Work: 1,196 completions

Business Administration, Management, & Operations: 548 completions

Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 439 completions

CIP 51.1503: 420 completions

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research: 359 completions

Finance, General: 323 completions

General Psychology: 292 completions

Communication and Media Studies: 251 completions

CIP 52.0301: 207 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 9,971 completions

Most popular programs at University of Kentucky.

Employment Outcomes

$47,266 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$53,326 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$59,025 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for University of Kentucky graduates.

About

University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, KY, offering 218 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 23,189 students. The admission rate is 92.38%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1213. The institution maintains a 69.93% graduation rate. Approximately 21.50% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

Location

Lexington, KY 40506-0032

Region: Southeast

Insights and Analysis

Diverse Program Offerings: With over 218 distinct degree programs, University of Kentucky provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
    • Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
    • Employment and wage data by occupation
    • Latest data: May 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
    • Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
    • Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
    • Source: onetcenter.org
  • IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
    • Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
  • Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
    • Demographic and workforce data
    • Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
    • Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.