University of Kentucky: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Lexington, Kentucky · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Kentucky is a public university in Lexington, Kentucky that admits about 93% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,851 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Marketing, Business/Commerce, General and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 71% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 9.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Kentucky admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 93%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1170 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,851 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Kentucky?
66% of enrolled students at University of Kentucky had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.58, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Kentucky weight in admissions?
University of Kentucky reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
SAT and ACT scores University of Kentucky typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 602. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1070 |
| 50th percentile | 1170 |
| 75th percentile | 1270 |
| % submitting SAT | 7% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 25 |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
| % submitting ACT | 50% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 28.7% |
| Top 25% of class | 55.6% |
| Top 50% of class | 84.6% |
| % submitting class rank | 28.5% |
How much does University of Kentucky actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,502 for in-state students and $34,140 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,016 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,851 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 23% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,851 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Kentucky
| Regular deadline | 02/15 |
| Notification date | 08/01 |
| Reply deadline | 05/01 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Kentucky?
These predict outcomes at University of Kentucky better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Kentucky
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Kentucky, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Marketing, Business/Commerce, General and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Across all programs, University of Kentucky confers roughly 2,227 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Marketing program report a median income of about $68,574 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 369 | $68,574 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 352 | $68,803 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 302 | $72,876 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 297 | $80,396 |
| Psychology, General | 290 | $47,701 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 250 | $52,644 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 199 | $54,361 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 168 | $87,796 |
Is University of Kentucky safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Kentucky disclosed 240 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 9.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 43 violent offenses and 76 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Kentucky?
About 32% of undergraduates at University of Kentucky live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 20% of men join a fraternity and 33% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Kentucky parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Kentucky
Common questions parents ask about University of Kentucky
What GPA do I need for University of Kentucky?
66% of enrolled students at University of Kentucky had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.58, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Kentucky typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 602. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28.
How much does University of Kentucky actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Kentucky after grants and scholarships is $18,851 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,502 and $34,140 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Kentucky realistic for my child?
University of Kentucky admits 93% of applicants, so 530–640 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $18,851 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Kentucky?
University of Kentucky accepts about 93% of applicants out of roughly 31,517 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Kentucky test-optional?
Yes. University of Kentucky is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Kentucky?
About 71% of students at University of Kentucky graduate within six years. 87% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Kentucky look for in applicants?
University of Kentucky rates course rigor, GPA and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Kentucky a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky.
What are the most popular majors at University of Kentucky?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Kentucky by annual graduates are Marketing, Business/Commerce, General and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. The school awards about 2,227 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Kentucky safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Kentucky reported 240 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 9.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Kentucky?
At University of Kentucky, 32% of undergraduates live on campus, 20% of men are in fraternities, 33% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Kentucky, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers