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University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky is a public campus in Lexington proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution. The institution reports a hospital in its federal directory record.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

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
$10,267
family income
under $30k
$11,329
$30–48k
$14,557
$48–75k
$20,655
$75–110k
$24,687
over $110k

Average net price

$18,8512023–24Skip to data table

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

$12k$14k$16k$18k200820232008: $13,0362009: $12,4712010: $12,7652011: $14,3352012: $14,3332013: $14,7852014: $16,2982015: $17,6172016: $18,9032017: $18,5232018: $17,1272019: $18,2032020: $18,2682021: $16,3282022: $17,2182023: $18,851$18,851
$12k$14k$16k$18k200820232008: $13,0362009: $12,4712010: $12,7652011: $14,3352012: $14,3332013: $14,7852014: $16,2982015: $17,6172016: $18,9032017: $18,5232018: $17,1272019: $18,2032020: $18,2682021: $16,3282022: $17,2182023: $18,851$18,851

Average net price at University of Kentucky rose from $13,036 (2008) to $18,851 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$13,036
2009$12,471
2010$12,765
2011$14,335
2012$14,333
2013$14,785
2014$16,298
2015$17,617
2016$18,903
2017$18,523
2018$17,127
2019$18,203
2020$18,268
2021$16,328
2022$17,218
2023$18,851
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$34,3912024–25Skip to data table

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

$20k$25k$30k$35k200920242009: $19,0762010: $19,6342011: $20,5822012: $21,7982013: $22,4202014: $23,1622015: $24,7382016: $26,1432017: $27,5912018: $28,7112019: $29,2892020: $30,1782021: $30,6722022: $30,6352023: $32,2912024: $34,391$34,391
$20k$25k$30k$35k200920242009: $19,0762010: $19,6342011: $20,5822012: $21,7982013: $22,4202014: $23,1622015: $24,7382016: $26,1432017: $27,5912018: $28,7112019: $29,2892020: $30,1782021: $30,6722022: $30,6352023: $32,2912024: $34,391$34,391

Total cost at University of Kentucky rose from $19,076 (2009) to $34,391 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$19,076
2010$19,634
2011$20,582
2012$21,798
2013$22,420
2014$23,162
2015$24,738
2016$26,143
2017$27,591
2018$28,711
2019$29,289
2020$30,178
2021$30,672
2022$30,635
2023$32,291
2024$34,391
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
$0$10k$20k$30k200020232000: $3,4462001: $3,7352002: $3,9752003: $4,5472004: $5,2402005: $5,8962006: $6,5102007: $7,0962008: $7,7362013: $10,1102014: $10,6162015: $10,9362016: $11,4842017: $11,9422018: $12,2452019: $12,3602020: $12,4842021: $12,6102022: $12,8592023: $13,212$13,212 in2000: $9,6662001: $10,2752002: $10,5272003: $11,2272004: $12,0182005: $12,8842006: $13,9702007: $14,8962008: $15,8842013: $21,1922014: $22,8882015: $24,2682016: $26,3342017: $28,0462018: $29,0992019: $30,6802020: $31,2942021: $31,6082022: $32,2762023: $33,406$33,406 out
$0$10k$20k$30k200020232000: $3,4462001: $3,7352002: $3,9752003: $4,5472004: $5,2402005: $5,8962006: $6,5102007: $7,0962008: $7,7362013: $10,1102014: $10,6162015: $10,9362016: $11,4842017: $11,9422018: $12,2452019: $12,3602020: $12,4842021: $12,6102022: $12,8592023: $13,212$13,212 in2000: $9,6662001: $10,2752002: $10,5272003: $11,2272004: $12,0182005: $12,8842006: $13,9702007: $14,8962008: $15,8842013: $21,1922014: $22,8882015: $24,2682016: $26,3342017: $28,0462018: $29,0992019: $30,6802020: $31,2942021: $31,6082022: $32,2762023: $33,406$33,406 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$3,446$9,666
2001$3,735$10,275
2002$3,975$10,527
2003$4,547$11,227
2004$5,240$12,018
2005$5,896$12,884
2006$6,510$13,970
2007$7,096$14,896
2008$7,736$15,884
2013$10,110$21,192
2014$10,616$22,888
2015$10,936$24,268
2016$11,484$26,334
2017$11,942$28,046
2018$12,245$29,099
2019$12,360$30,680
2020$12,484$31,294
2021$12,610$31,608
2022$12,859$32,276
2023$13,212$33,406
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

University of Kentucky reports tuition of $13,502 for in-state students and $34,140 for out-of-state students. Check University of Kentucky’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

University of Kentucky is a big school: 24,763 undergraduates at last count.

71.4% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at University of Kentucky 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
71.4%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.

50%60%70%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 48.4%entered 1992: 50.8%entered 1993: 53%entered 1994: 55.4%entered 1995: 57.2%entered 1996: 57.7%entered 1997: 61.1%entered 1998: 59.6%entered 1999: 59.8%entered 2000: 59.4%entered 2001: 61.6%entered 2002: 58.1%entered 2003: 60.1%entered 2004: 58.8%entered 2005: 59.4%entered 2006: 59.1%entered 2007: 61.8%entered 2008: 61.4%entered 2009: 62.7%entered 2010: 64%entered 2011: 65%entered 2012: 66.2%entered 2013: 66.5%entered 2014: 66.4%entered 2015: 68.2%entered 2016: 68.8%entered 2017: 69.9%entered 2018: 71.4%71.4%
50%60%70%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 48.4%entered 1992: 50.8%entered 1993: 53%entered 1994: 55.4%entered 1995: 57.2%entered 1996: 57.7%entered 1997: 61.1%entered 1998: 59.6%entered 1999: 59.8%entered 2000: 59.4%entered 2001: 61.6%entered 2002: 58.1%entered 2003: 60.1%entered 2004: 58.8%entered 2005: 59.4%entered 2006: 59.1%entered 2007: 61.8%entered 2008: 61.4%entered 2009: 62.7%entered 2010: 64%entered 2011: 65%entered 2012: 66.2%entered 2013: 66.5%entered 2014: 66.4%entered 2015: 68.2%entered 2016: 68.8%entered 2017: 69.9%entered 2018: 71.4%71.4%

The six-year graduation rate at University of Kentucky rose from 48.4% (entered 1991) to 71.4% (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
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort48.4%
1992 cohort50.8%
1993 cohort53%
1994 cohort55.4%
1995 cohort57.2%
1996 cohort57.7%
1997 cohort61.1%
1998 cohort59.6%
1999 cohort59.8%
2000 cohort59.4%
2001 cohort61.6%
2002 cohort58.1%
2003 cohort60.1%
2004 cohort58.8%
2005 cohort59.4%
2006 cohort59.1%
2007 cohort61.8%
2008 cohort61.4%
2009 cohort62.7%
2010 cohort64%
2011 cohort65%
2012 cohort66.2%
2013 cohort66.5%
2014 cohort66.4%
2015 cohort68.2%
2016 cohort68.8%
2017 cohort69.9%
2018 cohort71.4%
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
$5k$10k$15k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $13,015Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $13,350Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $12,860Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $12,599Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $12,885Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $12,329Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $12,710Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,257Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,268Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,465Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $13,750Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,375Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $15,600Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $17,056Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $18,250Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $21,250Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $22,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $23,102Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $23,200Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $22,974Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $22,500$22,500 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $4,400Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $4,650Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $4,648Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $4,206Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $4,543Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $5,598Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,234Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,975Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $6,245Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,204Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $7,224Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $7,389Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $7,500$7,500 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $13,015Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $13,350Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $12,860Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $12,599Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $12,885Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $12,329Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $12,710Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,257Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,268Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $13,465Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $13,750Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,375Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $15,600Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $17,056Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $18,250Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $21,250Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $22,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $23,102Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $23,200Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $22,974Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $22,500$22,500 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $4,400Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $4,650Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $4,648Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $4,206Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $4,543Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $5,598Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,234Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,975Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $6,245Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,204Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $7,224Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $7,389Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $7,500$7,500 left

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
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$13,015$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$13,350$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$12,860$4,400
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$12,599$4,650
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$12,885$4,648
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$12,329$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$12,710$4,206
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$13,257$4,543
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$13,268$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$13,465$5,598
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$13,750$6,234
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$14,375$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$15,000$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$15,600$5,975
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$17,056$6,245
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$18,250$6,204
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$19,500$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$21,250$7,224
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$22,500$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$23,000$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$23,102$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$23,200$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$22,974$7,389
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$22,500$7,500
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
$47,266
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$53,326
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$59,025
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

University of Kentucky admitted 29,293 of 31,517 applicants in Fall 2024. The 92.9% rate describes that application pool.

92.9%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$13,212 in-state tuition · 2023–2424,763 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1070–12901600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, University of Kentucky received 31,517 applications and admitted 29,293 (92.9%), with 6,513 enrolling.

University of Kentucky reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For University of Kentucky’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 540–650 and Math was 530–640 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1070–1290 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing540600650
SAT Math530580640
ACT Composite212528

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).

Acceptance rate

92.9%Fall 2024Skip to data table

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

70%80%90%200120242001: 80.6%2002: 81.8%2003: 81.7%2004: 80.7%2005: 78.8%2006: 77.3%2007: 80.5%2008: 77%2009: 78.8%2010: 73.5%2011: 68.5%2012: 68.4%2013: 68.6%2014: 72.2%2015: 89.1%2016: 90.8%2017: 95.8%2018: 94.5%2019: 95.9%2020: 96.4%2021: 94%2022: 94.9%2023: 92.4%2024: 92.9%92.9%
70%80%90%200120242001: 80.6%2002: 81.8%2003: 81.7%2004: 80.7%2005: 78.8%2006: 77.3%2007: 80.5%2008: 77%2009: 78.8%2010: 73.5%2011: 68.5%2012: 68.4%2013: 68.6%2014: 72.2%2015: 89.1%2016: 90.8%2017: 95.8%2018: 94.5%2019: 95.9%2020: 96.4%2021: 94%2022: 94.9%2023: 92.4%2024: 92.9%92.9%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200180.6%
Fall 200281.8%
Fall 200381.7%
Fall 200480.7%
Fall 200578.8%
Fall 200677.3%
Fall 200780.5%
Fall 200877%
Fall 200978.8%
Fall 201073.5%
Fall 201168.5%
Fall 201268.4%
Fall 201368.6%
Fall 201472.2%
Fall 201589.1%
Fall 201690.8%
Fall 201795.8%
Fall 201894.5%
Fall 201995.9%
Fall 202096.4%
Fall 202194%
Fall 202294.9%
Fall 202392.4%
Fall 202492.9%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1070–1290Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

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

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA10001100120013002016 REDESIGN2002202420162002: 10102003: 10102004: 10202005: 10202006: 10302007: 9902008: 9902009: 9902010: 9802011: 9902012: 9902013: 9902014: 10002015: 10102016: 10002017: 10802018: 10802019: 10702020: 10702021: 10832022: 10702023: 10802024: 107010702002: 12402003: 12502004: 12502005: 12602006: 12702007: 12402008: 12402009: 12402010: 12502011: 12502012: 12402013: 12402014: 12602015: 12502016: 12502017: 13302018: 13002019: 13202020: 12802021: 13302022: 12902023: 12902024: 12901290
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA100012002016 REDESIGN2002202420162002: 10102003: 10102004: 10202005: 10202006: 10302007: 9902008: 9902009: 9902010: 9802011: 9902012: 9902013: 9902014: 10002015: 10102016: 10002017: 10802018: 10802019: 10702020: 10702021: 10832022: 10702023: 10802024: 107010702002: 12402003: 12502004: 12502005: 12602006: 12702007: 12402008: 12402009: 12402010: 12502011: 12502012: 12402013: 12402014: 12602015: 12502016: 12502017: 13302018: 13002019: 13202020: 12802021: 13302022: 12902023: 12902024: 12901290

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200210101240
Fall 200310101250
Fall 200410201250
Fall 200510201260
Fall 200610301270
Fall 20079901240
Fall 20089901240
Fall 20099901240
Fall 20109801250
Fall 20119901250
Fall 20129901240
Fall 20139901240
Fall 201410001260
Fall 201510101250
Fall 201610001250
Fall 201710801330
Fall 201810801300
Fall 201910701320
Fall 202010701280
Fall 202110831330
Fall 202210701290
Fall 202310801290
Fall 202410701290
IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

21–28Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

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

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA22242628200120242001: 222002: 212003: 212004: 222005: 212006: 222007: 212008: 212009: 222010: 222011: 222012: 232013: 222014: 222015: 222016: 222017: 222018: 232019: 222020: 222021: 222022: 212023: 212024: 21212001: 272002: 262003: 262004: 272005: 272006: 272007: 262008: 272009: 272010: 282011: 282012: 282013: 282014: 282015: 282016: 292017: 282018: 292019: 292020: 292021: 292022: 282023: 282024: 2828
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA25200120242001: 222002: 212003: 212004: 222005: 212006: 222007: 212008: 212009: 222010: 222011: 222012: 232013: 222014: 222015: 222016: 222017: 222018: 232019: 222020: 222021: 222022: 212023: 212024: 21212001: 272002: 262003: 262004: 272005: 272006: 272007: 262008: 272009: 272010: 282011: 282012: 282013: 282014: 282015: 282016: 292017: 282018: 292019: 292020: 292021: 292022: 282023: 282024: 2828

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20012227
Fall 20022126
Fall 20032126
Fall 20042227
Fall 20052127
Fall 20062227
Fall 20072126
Fall 20082127
Fall 20092227
Fall 20102228
Fall 20112228
Fall 20122328
Fall 20132228
Fall 20142228
Fall 20152228
Fall 20162229
Fall 20172228
Fall 20182329
Fall 20192229
Fall 20202229
Fall 20212229
Fall 20222128
Fall 20232128
Fall 20242128
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

24,763Fall 2024Skip to data table

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

18k20k22k24k200220242002: 17,4342003: 17,7512004: 18,1022005: 18,4162006: 18,9602007: 18,4242008: 18,5912009: 18,8062010: 19,5262011: 19,7092012: 20,4362013: 21,0502014: 21,7252015: 22,2472016: 22,2442017: 22,0782018: 21,7462019: 21,8642020: 21,7882021: 21,3582022: 22,1152023: 23,1892024: 24,76324,763
18k20k23k25k200220242002: 17,4342003: 17,7512004: 18,1022005: 18,4162006: 18,9602007: 18,4242008: 18,5912009: 18,8062010: 19,5262011: 19,7092012: 20,4362013: 21,0502014: 21,7252015: 22,2472016: 22,2442017: 22,0782018: 21,7462019: 21,8642020: 21,7882021: 21,3582022: 22,1152023: 23,1892024: 24,76324,763

Undergraduate enrollment at University of Kentucky rose from 17,434 (Fall 2002) to 24,763 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200217,434
Fall 200317,751
Fall 200418,102
Fall 200518,416
Fall 200618,960
Fall 200718,424
Fall 200818,591
Fall 200918,806
Fall 201019,526
Fall 201119,709
Fall 201220,436
Fall 201321,050
Fall 201421,725
Fall 201522,247
Fall 201622,244
Fall 201722,078
Fall 201821,746
Fall 201921,864
Fall 202021,788
Fall 202121,358
Fall 202222,115
Fall 202323,189
Fall 202424,763
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

87%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.

75%80%85%200220232002: 77%2003: 78%2004: 79%2005: 78%2006: 76%2007: 81%2008: 80%2009: 82%2010: 82%2011: 81%2012: 83%2013: 82%2014: 83%2015: 82%2016: 83%2017: 85%2018: 85%2019: 86%2020: 86%2021: 85%2022: 87%2023: 87%87%
75%80%85%200220232002: 77%2003: 78%2004: 79%2005: 78%2006: 76%2007: 81%2008: 80%2009: 82%2010: 82%2011: 81%2012: 83%2013: 82%2014: 83%2015: 82%2016: 83%2017: 85%2018: 85%2019: 86%2020: 86%2021: 85%2022: 87%2023: 87%87%

First-year retention at University of Kentucky rose from 77% (Fall 2002) to 87% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort77%
Fall 2003 cohort78%
Fall 2004 cohort79%
Fall 2005 cohort78%
Fall 2006 cohort76%
Fall 2007 cohort81%
Fall 2008 cohort80%
Fall 2009 cohort82%
Fall 2010 cohort82%
Fall 2011 cohort81%
Fall 2012 cohort83%
Fall 2013 cohort82%
Fall 2014 cohort83%
Fall 2015 cohort82%
Fall 2016 cohort83%
Fall 2017 cohort85%
Fall 2018 cohort85%
Fall 2019 cohort86%
Fall 2020 cohort86%
Fall 2021 cohort85%
Fall 2022 cohort87%
Fall 2023 cohort87%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about University of Kentucky

22.5% of University of Kentucky's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes University of Kentucky as a primarily residential campus of 24,763 undergraduates — and 86.8% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

University of Kentucky's SAT section-percentile sums are 1070–1290 — their midpoint is above the KY four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on University of Kentucky's range with the SAT 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 University of Kentucky 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

University of Kentucky92.9%
Kentucky median79.6%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

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

University of Kentucky$13,502
Kentucky median$26,625
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

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

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

University of Kentucky$59,025
Kentucky median$45,036
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
University of Kentucky, Kentucky and national reference values
Metric & basisUniversity of KentuckyKentucky medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS92.9%79.6%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$13,502$26,625$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$59,025$45,036$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

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

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

View 61 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Engineering$99,945
Computer and Information Sciences, General$99,535
Chemical Engineering$98,003
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$96,913
Mechanical Engineering$90,654
Accounting and Related Services$85,777
Materials Engineering$84,796
Finance and Financial Management Services$84,087
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$82,533
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$81,941
Civil Engineering$81,031
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$77,663
Mathematics$75,222
Business/Managerial Economics$74,202
Chemistry$73,549
Health and Medical Administrative Services$70,942
Marketing$70,776
Business/Commerce, General$69,451
Agricultural Engineering$68,605
Economics$68,532
Apparel and Textiles$66,255
Agricultural Business and Management$65,847
Information Science/Studies$65,407
Landscape Architecture$64,143
Design and Applied Arts$62,966
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$62,754
Architecture$62,383
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other$60,375
Public Health$59,163
Political Science and Government$57,514
Sociology$56,266
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$56,234
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General$55,937
Communication and Media Studies$55,653
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services$55,633
Animal Sciences$53,918
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$52,815
Journalism$52,785
Hospitality Administration/Management$52,477
Biology, General$52,163
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$51,379
Forestry$51,331
Social Work$51,313
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$50,204
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management$49,167
International/Globalization Studies$47,698
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General$47,296
Agricultural Production Operations$46,843
Psychology, General$46,570
History$46,111
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$45,148
English Language and Literature, General$44,384
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$44,352
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$44,333
Agricultural Public Services$42,612
Fine and Studio Arts$41,406
Visual and Performing Arts, General$40,538
Music$39,746
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$38,822
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$38,475
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$36,942

These 61 fields listed for University of Kentucky measure earnings after completion. The $59,025 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 32 additional University of Kentucky fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does University of Kentucky report?

University of Kentucky's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1070–1290 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is University of Kentucky's acceptance rate?

92.9% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 29,293 admitted from 31,517 applicants.

How much does University of Kentucky cost?

In-state tuition is $13,502; out-of-state students pay $34,140. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does University of Kentucky report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $59,025. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Kentucky

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.

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