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Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University admits nearly everyone — 96.1% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Kentucky State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Kentucky State University anchors the college town of Frankfort, KY, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission. It carries a land-grant charter — the 1862 mandate that ties it to agricultural and practical education.
Its highest-earning path is Criminal Justice and Corrections, where graduates median $46,767 four years out. Faculty pay averages $84,432 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 1,309 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 63.7% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 820 and 1010 — below the KY middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Kentucky State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 820–1010 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Kentucky State University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 420 | 460 | 500 |
| SAT Math | 400 | 450 | 510 |
| ACT Composite | 14 | 16 | 20 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Kentucky State University received 2,001 applications and admitted 1,852 (92.6%), with 345 enrolling.
How Kentucky State University compares
| Kentucky State University | Kentucky median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 96.1% | 79.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,387 | $26,625 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $36,382 | $45,036 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Kentucky State University's median earnings are $36,382 — below the Kentucky benchmark of $45,036. Weigh that against the $9,387 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Kentucky State University prices by residency: $9,387 in-state versus $13,658 out-of-state — a $4,271 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
With 1,309 undergraduates, Kentucky State University is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
Fewer than half of Kentucky State University students — 31.9% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at Kentucky State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,767 |
| Psychology, General | $42,743 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $42,392 |
| Journalism | $42,363 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,522 |
Median earnings for these 5 Kentucky State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $36,382 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 18 additional Kentucky State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Kentucky State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 820–1010 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 96.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Kentucky State University's acceptance rate?
92.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,852 admitted from 2,001 applicants.
How much does Kentucky State University cost?
In-state tuition is $9,387; out-of-state students pay $13,658. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Kentucky State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $36,382 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Kentucky
- University of Kentucky — 92.9% admitted
- Kentucky Mountain Bible College — 100% admitted
- Georgetown College — 91.1% admitted
- Midway University — 95.1% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.