University of Kentucky: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

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 94%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1165 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 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What does University of Kentucky weight in admissions?

University of Kentucky reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

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.

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.

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, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 23% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Kentucky

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

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 31% of undergraduates at University of Kentucky live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 17% of men join a fraternity and 28% 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

• University of Louisville
  79% acceptance
• Berea College
  19% acceptance
• Centre College
  54% acceptance
• Transylvania University
  87% acceptance

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

• Fort Hays State University
  90% acceptance · Kansas
• University of Kansas
  93% acceptance · Kansas
• Northern Arizona University
  90% acceptance · Arizona
• Wichita State University
  94% acceptance · Kansas

Common questions parents ask about University of Kentucky