Kentucky State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families who need the lowest possible cost. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. 58% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Kentucky State University is a public institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky with approximately 1,309 undergraduate students enrolled. Kentucky State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $8,040 per year. The graduation rate is 32%, and the typical graduate earns $31,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Kentucky State University is a public historically black land-grant university in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States. Founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, and becoming a land-grant college in 1890, KSU is the second-oldest state-supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $8,900 average net price and relatively low median debt of $12,250 make this one of the more affordable college options in Kentucky, and its historic identity as an HBCU with land-grant roots gives it a distinct community and mission that some students genuinely value. However, a 27% graduation rate and 61% freshman retention rate are serious red flags — most students who start here don't finish — and median earnings of $31,300 a decade out raise real questions about return on investment even at this price point. Worth considering only if you have a specific plan, strong support systems, and a clear reason this school fits your goals beyond affordability.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 3% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,309 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY · Public
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY · Public
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · Public
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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