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Kentucky State University

K-State

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-2355

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

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

Plan Your Visit

93%Acceptance
910SAT Avg
1,317Students
14:1Student:Faculty
27%Grad Rate
$36,382Earnings 10yr
$8,900Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate92.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 910

Reading & Writing
420500
Math
400510

ACT Score Range

Composite
1420

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

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

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

45.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-4.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (41)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

61%

Below Average

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
10 Years$36,382

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball

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.

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)

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)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Kentucky State University Application Checklist

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