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Kentucky State University

Kentucky State University is based in the town of Frankfort, KY — a public campus in a small-town setting. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities — a federally recognized designation. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$6,809

family income
under $30k

$5,703

$30–48k

$9,471

$48–75k

$15,362

$75–110k

$17,285

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$8,0402023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Kentucky State University fell from $9,266 (2008) to $8,040 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$9,266
2009	$4,695
2010	$11,567
2011	$12,749
2012	$12,299
2013	$8,593
2014	$8,770
2015	$7,034
2016	$8,772
2017	$10,109
2018	$7,076
2019	$7,343
2020	$7,265
2021	$11,619
2022	$8,900
2023	$8,040

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$21,7272024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Kentucky State University rose from $15,620 (2009) to $21,727 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$15,620
2010	$15,204
2011	$16,732
2012	$17,567
2013	$18,387
2014	$17,231
2015	$17,984
2016	$17,874
2017	$18,436
2018	$18,975
2019	$16,750
2020	$16,885
2021	$17,812
2022	$21,223
2023	$21,023
2024	$21,727

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$2,100	$6,302
2001	$2,100	$6,302
2002	$2,630	$7,880
2003	$2,828	$8,472
2004	$3,110	$8,754
2005	$4,468	$10,910
2006	$4,740	$11,290
2007	$5,320	$12,490
2008	$5,692	$13,490
2013	$6,276	$15,072
2014	$7,404	$17,214
2015	$7,754	$18,056
2016	$7,754	$18,056
2017	$8,184	$19,638
2018	$8,090	$19,390
2019	$8,090	$11,940
2020	$8,800	$12,650
2021	$9,020	$12,870
2022	$9,004	$12,882
2023	$9,214	$13,260

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Kentucky State University reports published tuition by residency: $9,387 in-state versus $13,658 out-of-state — a $4,271 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Kentucky State University reports 1,309 undergraduates. This count does not measure class size or advising access.

31.9% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Kentucky State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

31.9%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Kentucky State University rose from 28.5% (entered 1991) to 31.9% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	28.5%
1992 cohort	18.6%
1993 cohort	22.4%
1994 cohort	25%
1995 cohort	25.9%
1996 cohort	17%
1997 cohort	32.1%
1998 cohort	34%
1999 cohort	21.6%
2000 cohort	34.7%
2001 cohort	26.6%
2002 cohort	26%
2003 cohort	23.6%
2004 cohort	25.1%
2005 cohort	21.3%
2006 cohort	13.9%
2007 cohort	18.4%
2008 cohort	19.8%
2009 cohort	22.3%
2010 cohort	19.9%
2011 cohort	20.4%
2012 cohort	18%
2013 cohort	25.4%
2014 cohort	30%
2015 cohort	37.2%
2016 cohort	32.3%
2017 cohort	27.1%
2018 cohort	31.9%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$12,046	$3,312
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$12,543	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$12,745	$3,363
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$12,856	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,867	$4,695
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$16,925	$4,038
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$17,430	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$18,700	$3,654
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$19,250	$3,998
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$18,500	$5,347
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$19,000	$6,255
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$24,000	$6,723
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$25,393	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$29,311	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$32,476	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$29,063	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$28,375	$10,250
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$28,500	$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$29,807	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$28,504	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$25,875	$10,250
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$25,938	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$29,640

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$33,985

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$36,382

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Kentucky State University admitted 1,396 of 1,453 applicants in Fall 2024. The 96.1% rate describes that application pool.

96.1%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $9,214 in-state tuition · 2023–24 1,309 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Kentucky State University: scores were considered but optional in the Fall 2024 admissions cycle.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
ACT Composite	14	15	17

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Kentucky State University received 1,453 applications and admitted 1,396 (96.1%), with 377 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

96.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	96.4%
Fall 2002	—
Fall 2003	85.5%
Fall 2004	15.3%
Fall 2005	33.4%
Fall 2006	28%
Fall 2007	38.2%
Fall 2008	30.9%
Fall 2009	24.3%
Fall 2010	25.4%
Fall 2011	30.3%
Fall 2012	44.7%
Fall 2013	37.7%
Fall 2014	47.7%
Fall 2015	37.9%
Fall 2016	49%
Fall 2017	45.3%
Fall 2018	72.2%
Fall 2019	80.7%
Fall 2020	84%
Fall 2021	93.2%
Fall 2022	91.5%
Fall 2023	92.5%
Fall 2024	96.1%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

820–1010Fall 2023 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	710	950
Fall 2002	760	920
Fall 2003	780	960
Fall 2004	780	960
Fall 2005	770	980
Fall 2006	730	930
Fall 2007	728	913
Fall 2008	720	920
Fall 2009	706	923
Fall 2010	690	920
Fall 2011	760	940
Fall 2012	720	910
Fall 2013	673	898
Fall 2014	735	925
Fall 2015	830	1050
Fall 2016	750	945
Fall 2017	866	1020
Fall 2018	820	1003
Fall 2019	890	1060
Fall 2020	860	1050
Fall 2022	783	978
Fall 2023	820	1010

IPEDS Fall 2001–2023, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

14–17Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	12	18
Fall 2002	15	18
Fall 2003	16	18
Fall 2004	16	18
Fall 2005	15	19
Fall 2006	14	18
Fall 2007	15	19
Fall 2008	15	19
Fall 2009	15	19
Fall 2010	15	19
Fall 2011	16	20
Fall 2012	15	19
Fall 2013	16	20
Fall 2014	16	21
Fall 2015	17	22
Fall 2016	17	21
Fall 2017	17	21
Fall 2018	15	19
Fall 2019	18	22
Fall 2020	15	20
Fall 2022	14	20
Fall 2023	14	20
Fall 2024	14	17

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

1,309Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Kentucky State University fell from 2,107 (Fall 2002) to 1,309 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	2,107
Fall 2003	1,942
Fall 2004	1,932
Fall 2005	1,912
Fall 2006	2,070
Fall 2007	2,201
Fall 2008	2,209
Fall 2009	2,326
Fall 2010	2,439
Fall 2011	2,263
Fall 2012	2,084
Fall 2013	2,131
Fall 2014	1,627
Fall 2015	1,286
Fall 2016	1,287
Fall 2017	1,349
Fall 2018	1,226
Fall 2019	1,419
Fall 2020	1,658
Fall 2021	1,660
Fall 2022	1,343
Fall 2023	1,317
Fall 2024	1,309

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

64%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Kentucky State University has wandered from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023 — up to 78% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 64%.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	63%
Fall 2003 cohort	60%
Fall 2004 cohort	58%
Fall 2005 cohort	54%
Fall 2006 cohort	47%
Fall 2007 cohort	49%
Fall 2008 cohort	52%
Fall 2009 cohort	54%
Fall 2010 cohort	50%
Fall 2011 cohort	45%
Fall 2012 cohort	52%
Fall 2013 cohort	44%
Fall 2014 cohort	60%
Fall 2015 cohort	60%
Fall 2016 cohort	68%
Fall 2017 cohort	56%
Fall 2018 cohort	66%
Fall 2019 cohort	78%
Fall 2020 cohort	70%
Fall 2021 cohort	53%
Fall 2022 cohort	61%
Fall 2023 cohort	64%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Kentucky State University

Faculty pay at Kentucky State University averages $84,432 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Kentucky State University as a primarily residential campus of 1,309 undergraduates — and 63.7% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Incoming students who submitted scores typically landed between 14 and 17 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Kentucky State University's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Kentucky State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Kentucky State University96.1%

Kentucky median79.6%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Kentucky State University$9,387

Kentucky median$26,625

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Kentucky State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Kentucky State University$36,382

Kentucky median$45,036

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Kentucky State University, Kentucky and national reference values
Metric & basis	Kentucky State University	Kentucky median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	96.1%	79.6%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$9,387	$26,625	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$36,382	$45,036	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Kentucky State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Kentucky State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 5 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	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

These 5 fields listed for Kentucky State University measure earnings after completion. The $36,382 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 18 additional Kentucky State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Kentucky State University report?

The middle 50% of Kentucky State University's enrolled Fall 2024 submitters reported ACT composites of 14–17; this dataset does not provide a GPA requirement.

What is Kentucky State University's acceptance rate?

96.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,396 admitted from 1,453 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 earnings data does Kentucky State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $36,382. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Kentucky

University of Kentucky — 92.9% admitted
Georgetown College — 91.1% admitted
Midway University — 95.1% admitted
Murray State University — 85.7% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.