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University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0032

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrban

Known for business — major research university

University of Kentucky is a public institution in Lexington with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1213, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 23.2K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

70% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $59,025 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,218.

Established
1865
Motto
"United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
Mascot
The WildcatBlueScratch
Type
Public land-grant research university
Division
Division 1

Campus Visits

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92%Acceptance
1213SAT Avg
23,189Students
17:1Student:Faculty
70%Grad Rate
$59,025Earnings 10yr
$17,218Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate92.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1213

Reading & WritingMid: 602
550640
MathMid: 605
530650

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 26
2128

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$13,212
Tuition (out-of-state)$33,406
Room & Board$15,242
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$32,291
Average Net Price$17,218
Median Debt at Graduation$22,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$239

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,267
$30–48K$11,329
$48–75K$14,557
$75–110K$20,655
$110K+$24,687

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

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

65.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$16,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

176

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

45

Burglary

9

Aggravated Assault

6

Robbery

15

Motor Vehicle Theft

19

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

46

Drug Arrests

35

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (331)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

87%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
23,189
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
23%
Pell Grant Recipients
22%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Black 7%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 4%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.9%
Freshman Retention86.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,266
10 Years$59,025

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#152
—
vs 2024
Forbes
#200
—
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
—
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#159
—
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballSoccerBasketball programVolleyball forGymnasticsSoftballVolleyballIce hockey

History & Fun Facts

  • •As the first university in the territory that would become Kentucky, Transylvania University was the primary center for education.
  • •It received federal support through the Morrill Land-Grant Act in 1865.
  • •In 1866 it opened with 190 students and 10 professors, on the campus at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate.
  • •In 1869 James Kennedy Patterson replaced Bowman and the first degree was awarded.
  • •In 1876, the university began to offer master's degree programs.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

101Above Average

Estimated from KY state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Indianapolispop. 880K
149 mi(258 min)
Columbuspop. 900K
155 mi(269 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
180 mi(312 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CVG Cincinnati70 mi
IND Indianapolis151 mi
CMH Columbus161 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA769 mi · ~22h 13m drive
New York, NY590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
Hartford, CT677 mi · ~19h 33m drive
Providence, RI740 mi · ~21h 23m drive
Albany, NY649 mi · ~18h 45m drive
Syracuse, NY558 mi · ~16h 7m drive
Rochester, NY506 mi · ~14h 37m drive
Buffalo, NY447 mi · ~12h 55m drive
Philadelphia, PA518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Pittsburgh, PA293 mi · ~8h 28m drive
Harrisburg, PA436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Newark, NJ582 mi · ~16h 49m drive
Washington, DC408 mi · ~11h 47m drive
Baltimore, MD434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
Atlanta, GA296 mi · ~8h 33m drive
Charlotte, NC281 mi · ~8h 7m drive
Raleigh, NC360 mi · ~10h 24m drive
Miami, FL885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
Orlando, FL681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Tampa, FL707 mi · ~20h 25m drive
Nashville, TN180 mi · ~5h 12m drive
New Orleans, LA643 mi · ~18h 35m drive
Richmond, VA387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Chicago, IL313 mi · ~9h 3m drive
Detroit, MI306 mi · ~8h 50m drive
Minneapolis, MN659 mi · ~19h 2m drive
St. Louis, MO311 mi · ~8h 59m drive
Kansas City, MO549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
Indianapolis, IN149 mi · ~4h 18m drive
Columbus, OH155 mi · ~4h 29m drive
Cleveland, OH282 mi · ~8h 9m drive
Milwaukee, WI389 mi · ~11h 14m drive
Dallas, TX781 mi · ~22h 34m drive
Houston, TX845 mi · ~24h 25m drive
Austin, TX927 mi · ~26h 47m drive
San Antonio, TX998 mi · ~28h 50m drive
Los Angeles, CA1894 mi · ~54h 43m drive
San Francisco, CA2052 mi · ~59h 17m drive
San Diego, CA1866 mi · ~53h 54m drive
Seattle, WA2005 mi · ~57h 55m drive
Portland, OR2013 mi · ~58h 9m drive
Denver, CO1106 mi · ~31h 57m drive
Phoenix, AZ1572 mi · ~45h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1468 mi · ~42h 25m drive
Honolulu, HI4441 mi · ~128h 18m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

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University of Kentucky Application Checklist

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Decision Notifications

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