PublicTownHBCU

Kentucky State University

Name: Thorobred Tour
Start: 2026-04-13T14:00:00
Location: Kentucky State University

K-State

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-2355

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Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege townGreek lifeHBCU

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Kentucky State University is a public institution in Frankfort with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 910, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.3K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

27% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $36,382 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $8,900.

Established

1886

Motto

"Onward, Upward."

Type

Public historically black land-grant university

Conference

Division II Southern

Division

Division II

Campus Visits

2 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Apr 13 · Campus Tour

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93%Acceptance

910SAT Avg

1,317Students

14:1Student:Faculty

27%Grad Rate

$36,382Earnings 10yr

$8,900Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Kentucky State University Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate92.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 910

Reading & Writing

420500

Math

400510

ACT Score Range

Composite

1420

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

92.5%

Trend

SAT Avg

910

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,214

Tuition (out-of-state)$13,260

Room & Board$8,186

Books & Supplies$1,332

Total Cost of Attendance$21,023

Average Net Price$8,900

Median Debt at Graduation$25,938

Monthly Payment (10yr)$275

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$6,809

$30–48K$5,703

$48–75K$9,471

$75–110K$15,362

$110K+$17,285

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$8,900

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

4500.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,250

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

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Programs (41)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

1,317

Gender Split

60% / 40%

Women / Men

First Generation

40%

Pell Grant Recipients

57%

Race & Ethnicity

White 8%

Black 81%

Hispanic 2%

Two+ 4%

Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate27.1%

Freshman Retention60.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$29,640

8 Years$33,985

10 Years$36,382

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$30,800

Men

$31,900

Rankings

U.S. News

#45

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Forbes

#52

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Niche

#38

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More About This School

Varsity Sports

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History & Fun Facts

•History Kentucky State University was chartered in May 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, only the second state-supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky.
•During the euphoria of Frankfort's 1887 centennial celebration, the city donated $1,500 towards the purchase of land for a new college on a bluff overlooking Frankfort.
•The new school formally opened on October 11, 1887, with three teachers, 55 students, and John H.
•Recitation Hall (now Jackson Hall), the college's first permanent building, was erected in that year.
•The school produced its first graduating class of five students in the spring of that year.

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Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

88Low

Estimated from KY state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Indianapolispop. 880K

129 mi(224 min)

Columbuspop. 900K

157 mi(272 min)

Nashvillepop. 690K

176 mi(305 min)

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Getting There

Nearest Airports

CVG Cincinnati59 mi

IND Indianapolis130 mi

CMH Columbus163 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA781 mi · ~22h 34m drive

New York, NY604 mi · ~17h 27m drive

Hartford, CT690 mi · ~19h 56m drive

Providence, RI753 mi · ~21h 45m drive

Albany, NY659 mi · ~19h 2m drive

Syracuse, NY566 mi · ~16h 21m drive

Rochester, NY511 mi · ~14h 46m drive

Buffalo, NY451 mi · ~13h 2m drive

Philadelphia, PA533 mi · ~15h 24m drive

Pittsburgh, PA302 mi · ~8h 43m drive

Harrisburg, PA450 mi · ~13h drive

Newark, NJ596 mi · ~17h 13m drive

Washington, DC425 mi · ~12h 17m drive

Baltimore, MD450 mi · ~13h drive

Atlanta, GA309 mi · ~8h 56m drive

Charlotte, NC303 mi · ~8h 45m drive

Raleigh, NC382 mi · ~11h 2m drive

Miami, FL902 mi · ~26h 3m drive

Orlando, FL697 mi · ~20h 8m drive

Tampa, FL722 mi · ~20h 51m drive

Nashville, TN176 mi · ~5h 5m drive

New Orleans, LA643 mi · ~18h 35m drive

Richmond, VA407 mi · ~11h 45m drive

Chicago, IL293 mi · ~8h 28m drive

Detroit, MI301 mi · ~8h 42m drive

Minneapolis, MN638 mi · ~18h 26m drive

St. Louis, MO291 mi · ~8h 24m drive

Kansas City, MO528 mi · ~15h 15m drive

Indianapolis, IN129 mi · ~3h 44m drive

Columbus, OH157 mi · ~4h 32m drive

Cleveland, OH283 mi · ~8h 11m drive

Milwaukee, WI371 mi · ~10h 43m drive

Dallas, TX768 mi · ~22h 11m drive

Houston, TX837 mi · ~24h 11m drive

Austin, TX916 mi · ~26h 28m drive

San Antonio, TX988 mi · ~28h 33m drive

Los Angeles, CA1875 mi · ~54h 10m drive

San Francisco, CA2032 mi · ~58h 42m drive

San Diego, CA1847 mi · ~53h 21m drive

Seattle, WA1983 mi · ~57h 17m drive

Portland, OR1991 mi · ~57h 31m drive

Denver, CO1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive

Phoenix, AZ1554 mi · ~44h 54m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1447 mi · ~41h 48m drive

Honolulu, HI4420 mi · ~127h 41m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park

Visitor parking lot

Free parking with visitor pass

9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions

Admissions Office

10:00 AMInformation session

Welcome Center

45 minutes

11:00 AMCampus tour

Starts at Welcome Center

75 minutes, student-led

12:30 PMLunch

Main Dining Hall

Visitor meal passes available

1:30 PMDepartment visit

Academic buildings

Schedule with department directly

2:30 PMExplore campus independently

Library, student center, residence halls

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Airport Transit

Cincinnati (CVG)59 miles

Rental car

89 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

118 min$71-118

Indianapolis (IND)130 miles

Rental car

195 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

260 min$156-260

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Schools Like This

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Deadline Calendar

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Kentucky State University Application Checklist

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

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Official High School Transcript

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School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

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Kentucky State University Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

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CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

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Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

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Interview (recommended)Optional

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Decision Notifications

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SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award