Lexington, KY
The University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, a large city in Kentucky. It enrolls approximately 24,763 undergraduates with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 70.7% graduation rate.
University of Kentucky admits 92.9% of applicants, indicating relatively open access. Applicants typically have an average high school GPA of 3.58 and ACT scores in the 21-28 range.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 11,628 | 10,580 | 91% | 2,617 |
| Women | 16,352 | 15,273 | 93.4% | 3,783 |
University of Kentucky admits 92.9% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
University of Kentucky's cost of attendance is $36,558, while the average net price students pay is $18,851. This means the average student pays significantly less than the sticker price.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $239.
After aid, University of Kentucky costs $18,851 a year — about 29% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
University of Kentucky has a graduation rate of 70.7%. Graduates earn a median of $47,266 six years after entry and $59,025 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 339 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 305 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 292 |
| Psychology, General | 283 |
| Finance, General | 274 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 230 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 189 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 172 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 157 |
| Accounting | 152 |
Median earnings eight years after entering University of Kentucky are $53,326, and 73% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former University of Kentucky students earn $47,266 — 3% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, a large city in Kentucky. The undergraduate student body of 24,763 includes 58.4% women, with 23.4% first-generation students and 22.5% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
596 of 21,784 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
1,465 of 23,930 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 3,230 of 8,773 graduate students.
University of Kentucky is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and operates its own medical school and teaching hospital.
University of Kentucky spends $128,467 per student on research — about 15× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
University of Kentucky is in Lexington-Fayette, KY, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 2.5 miles from the center of Lexington-Fayette. There are 7 other colleges within 25 miles, and Lexington-Fayette, KY is 2.5 miles away.
Fayette County scores 11.1 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 8.4% of Lexington-Fayette's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures University of Kentucky reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, University of Kentucky reported 55 arrests and 595 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about University of Kentucky admissions, costs, and outcomes.
University of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 92.9%. Out of 28,233 applicants, 26,083 were admitted and 6,437 enrolled.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 540-650 on SAT reading and writing, 530-640 on SAT math, and 21-28 on the ACT composite. 55% of applicants submit ACT scores and 9% submit SAT scores.
The average high school GPA for admitted students is 3.58. Additionally, 28.7% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their high school class.
The total cost of attendance is $36,558, with tuition and fees at $34,140. However, the average net price students actually pay is $18,851 after financial aid.
University of Kentucky supports 22.5% of students with Pell grants. About 33.7% of students borrow federal loans, with a median federal debt at graduation of $22,500.
Yes, 23.4% of the undergraduate population are first-generation students. The university serves a diverse student body with 58.4% women.
University of Kentucky has a graduation rate of 70.7%. The three-year federal loan repayment rate is 63.3% for graduates.
Graduates earn a median of $47,266 six years after entry and $59,025 ten years after entry, indicating career growth over time.
University of Kentucky maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1. The undergraduate enrollment is 24,763 students.
University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky, a large city. The campus setting provides access to urban amenities and resources.