University of Kentucky
#2 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 71% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,025 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,851 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,493,208.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #301-350
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 28/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Kentucky Matters
University of Kentucky is a public research university in Lexington, KY ranked #301-350 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 24,763
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Communications
Why students choose University of Kentucky
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 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,851 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,025 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 79% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.60 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 25,000 students, the University of Kentucky in Lexington caters to a diverse range of learners. It's particularly suitable for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Communications, and Education. A 93% acceptance rate means that many students can find a place here, making it accessible for a broad spectrum of applicants.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $59,025 within ten years, which is a solid starting point for many. This figure suggests that a degree from UK can lead to stable career opportunities, especially for those who excel in their programs. The affordability factor also plays a crucial role; with a net price of $18,851, it remains a feasible option for many families, particularly given that 23% of students receive Pell Grants, which help lower the cost of attendance for those in need.
When it comes to managing finances, the median debt for graduates stands at $22,500, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here tend to be those who take advantage of the resources and support available, whether it's through academic advising or career services. This environment encourages growth and provides pathways for success, making it an appealing choice for students looking to balance affordability with a solid educational foundation.
Rankings
- #2 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
- #2 Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
- #4 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #5 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Kentucky 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 University of Kentucky? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,215. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1215
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1070–1290
- ACT Range
- 21–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 82%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,984
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 23%
- Applicants
- 22,109
- Admitted
- 20,979
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Kentucky is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 22% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 22%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 7%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 50%
- of enrolled freshmen
There is an early lane. University offers Early Action, so you can apply ahead of the regular deadline and hear back sooner without committing to enroll.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 57% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 University of Kentucky? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Kentucky is $34,140, 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 $18,851. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,182 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,502
- Out-of-State
- $34,140
- Avg Net Price
- $18,851
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,182
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,119
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,313
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,781
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 University of Kentucky — 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 University of Kentucky Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Kentucky earn a median of $59,025, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,266
- 8 Years
- $53,326
- 10 Years
- $59,025
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,409)
- 47%
- 100% (2,409)
- 47%
- 100% (2,409)
- 47%
- 100% (2,409)
- 47%
How University 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 University of Kentucky Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Kentucky delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,851/year ($75,404 total). Graduates earn $59,025 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,568,612 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,493,208 (20.8× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,404
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,568,612
- Net Return
- $1,493,208
- ROI Multiple
- 20.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,851
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
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 University of Kentucky Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Kentucky is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.96%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $134,235
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 28/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 46/100
- Citation impact (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-121,772,206
Top Programs
The fields University of Kentucky 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% $61,516 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $67,875 early-career
- Engineering 8% $84,379 early-career
- Communications 8% $44,713 early-career
- Education 7% $43,394 early-career
- Psychology 5% $31,675 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $29,935 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $70,519 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 University of Kentucky'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 University of Kentucky? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,215. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Kentucky? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Kentucky is $34,140, 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 $18,851. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,182 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Kentucky Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Kentucky earn a median of $59,025, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Kentucky Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Kentucky is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Kentucky? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Kentucky. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), 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.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Kentucky? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Kentucky at #301-350 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 28/100, teaching at 39/100, and citation impact of 46/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does University of Kentucky offer Early Decision?
No. University of Kentucky does not report a binding Early Decision plan, though it does offer a non-binding Early Action option (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Kentucky really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 57% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Kentucky (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Kentucky?
About 22% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Kentucky — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare University of Kentucky
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Kentucky.
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of KansasLawrence, KS · Close peer69% grad $61,945 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · Close peer65% grad $62,117 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA · Close peer70% grad $61,251 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Kentucky? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Kentucky. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), 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