University of Kentucky
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 24,763 students.
About This School
University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky with approximately 24,763 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Kentucky has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 93%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,851 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, and the typical graduate earns $54,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of Kentucky is a public land-grant research university in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. Founded in 1865 by John Bryan Bowman as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, the university is one of the state's two land-grant universities. It is the institution with the highest enrollment in the state, with 35,952 students in the fall of 2024.
The numbers tell a mostly solid story here — an accessible 92% acceptance rate, relatively low median debt of $16,750, and median earnings of $54,000 a decade out make this a financially sensible choice, especially at $17,218/year net price. That said, the 70% graduation rate is worth watching closely, suggesting that roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish — so incoming students should honestly assess their readiness and support needs before enrolling. Worth considering if you want a large flagship research university experience in Kentucky without taking on crushing debt.
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
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
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 (24,763 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Kentucky
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
Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville, 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.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.