Kentucky State University
#3 Most Affordable HBCUs- Graduation Rate
- 30% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,382 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $8,040 B+
- 53% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 29.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $29.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable HBCUs.
Every $1 spent returns $29.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $909,743.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 30% — 48% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $29.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Kentucky State University Matters
Kentucky State University is a public college in Frankfort, KY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,309
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Humanities, Health Professions
Why students choose Kentucky State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $8,040 a year after grants and scholarships — 53% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,382 ten years after enrolling — 11% below the typical college, against $25,938 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 31% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.23 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Kentucky State University, located in the heart of Frankfort, caters to a diverse group of students seeking a supportive environment to pursue their education. With an acceptance rate of 96%, it's an accessible choice for many. Here, students can dive into various fields including Business & Marketing, Psychology, Humanities, Health Professions, and Criminal Justice. This wide range of programs reflects the university's commitment to serving a variety of academic interests.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell an encouraging story. Graduates earn a median income of $36,382 within ten years of completing their studies, which is a solid foundation for many. The university also shows a strong commitment to affordability, with a net price of $8,040 after aid. This makes it feasible for students, especially those who rely on Pell Grants, which 58% of the student body does. These figures suggest that many graduates can move forward financially after their time at Kentucky State.
Looking at the practical aspects, students here tend to thrive in a nurturing environment that values community and support. With a median debt of $25,938, students can graduate with manageable financial obligations. The combination of relatively low costs and a focus on accessible education makes Kentucky State a good option for those who are prepared to engage fully in their studies and take advantage of the various programs available.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Kentucky State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kentucky State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Frankfort, Kentucky, Kentucky State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 870. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- SAT Average
- 870
- ACT Range
- 14–17
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,036
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 2,870
- Admitted
- 2,626
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kentucky State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kentucky State University is $13,658, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,040. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,225 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,938 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,387
- Out-of-State
- $13,658
- Avg Net Price
- $8,040
- Median Debt
- $25,938
- Pell Grant Rate
- 58%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 56%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,225
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,739
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,256
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Kentucky State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Kentucky State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kentucky State University report median earnings of $36,382, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,640
- 8 Years
- $33,985
- 10 Years
- $36,382
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.71x
- Earning > $25K
- 41%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (43)
- 16%
- 100% (43)
- 16%
- 100% (43)
- 16%
- 100% (43)
- 16%
How Kentucky Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Kentucky State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kentucky State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,040/year ($32,160 total). Graduates earn $36,382 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $941,903 in total earnings — a net gain of $909,743 (29.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,938, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $32,160
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $941,903
- Net Return
- $909,743
- ROI Multiple
- 29.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $8,040
- Median Debt
- $25,938
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Kentucky State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kentucky State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.94%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $54,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.94%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 18.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $73,367
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Kentucky State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $44,980 early-career
- Psychology 11% $26,336 early-career
- Humanities 11%
- Health Professions 9% $69,393 early-career
- Communications 8% $26,827 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $34,534 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $31,312 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $29,017 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Kentucky State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kentucky State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Frankfort, Kentucky, Kentucky State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 870. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kentucky State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kentucky State University is $13,658, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,040. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,225 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,938 in federal student loans.
Is Kentucky State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kentucky State University report median earnings of $36,382, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Kentucky State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kentucky State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.94%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $54,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Kentucky State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kentucky State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.23, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.09), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kentucky State University.
- University of the Virgin IslandsCharlotte Amalie, VI · Close peer28% grad $38,681 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Arkansas Community College-MorriltonMorrilton, AR · Close peer44% grad $34,924 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA · Close peer39% grad $38,275 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV · Close peer36% grad $40,492 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, FL · Close peer28% grad $34,782 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mississippi Valley State UniversityItta Bena, MS · Close peer24% grad $31,919 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kentucky State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kentucky State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.23, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.09), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note