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Lexington , KY
The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, is a renowned public research university known for its academic excellence and athletic prowess. Established in 1865, it is one of the oldest universities in Kentucky and has a rich history of providing quality education. With a vibrant campus spread over 764 acres, UK offers over 200 undergraduate programs, 90 master's programs, and 66 doctoral programs, catering to a diverse range of academic interests.
UK is highly regarded for its research initiatives and is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral University with the highest level of research activity. It consistently ranks among the top public universities in the country and houses numerous research centers and institutes, covering a wide array of disciplines. The university's faculty members are accomplished scholars, dedicated to mentoring and pushing the boundaries of knowledge in their respective fields, making UK an ideal destination for those seeking engaging research opportunities.
Apart from academics, UK is widely recognized for its athletic programs, particularly its men's basketball team, which has a long-standing tradition of success. The Kentucky Wildcats have numerous national championships to their name, as well as a passionate fan base that fills the legendary Rupp Arena for home games. The university also fields competitive teams in football, soccer, baseball, and various other sports, making it a hub of excitement for sports enthusiasts.
Overall, the University of Kentucky offers a comprehensive educational experience that combines academic rigor, cutting-edge research, and a vibrant campus life. With a commitment to shaping future leaders and fostering innovation, UK provides its students with the necessary tools and resources to excel in their chosen fields. Whether through academics, athletics, or extracurricular activities, the university instills a sense of pride and lifelong connections among its students, thereby making it an exceptional institution for higher education.
Located in Lexington, KY and set in an urban environment, University of Kentucky is a public university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 92%. The freshman retention rate at University of Kentucky is 87% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is February 15. Here are some recent data on important things to consider about University of Kentucky.
Quick Facts
25,535
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Check out some important info about admission policy and requirements at University of Kentucky.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 29,293 in 2025. University of Kentucky has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 7% and ACT scores 50%. 7.5% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 38.9% between 1,200 and 1,399, 42.6% between 1,000 and 1,199, 9.4% of the students between 800 and 999, and 1.7% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 19.5, 39.4 between 24-29, 36.2 in the range between 18-23, and 4.8 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 25 while the average GPA was 3.58. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Kentucky; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 591 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 582.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by February 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Kentucky was 87%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Kentucky in 2025 was 34,710.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 33.3% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 25,535, 319 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 1,056 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 12,326 male and 18,117 female full-time students in 2025. 2,566 full-time graduate men and 4,255 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Kentucky.
This school had 910 Asian students and 1,557 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,680 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,107 as multirace. The school also had 20 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 42 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 253 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important facts on University of Kentucky costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $12,472, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $33,729 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at University of Kentucky, you should know that the 2025 tuition was $33,729, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $1,435 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $33,729 | $1,435 | $35,164 |
| In-State | $12,472 | $1,435 | $13,907 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at University of Kentucky amounted to $16,696 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $11,250, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $11,250.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 12,472 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,696 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 30,368 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at University of Kentucky.
The most recent records show that 3,578 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $16,880.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 5,109 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of Kentucky is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 11,066. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $32,089,006, and state $46,186,392. The students of University of Kentucky received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $159,877,581, and external in the amount of $10,014,316.
$9,133
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
9,733 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 3,497 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of Kentucky was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 2,359 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 1,128 men and 1,231 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of Kentucky.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about students' life at University of Kentucky.
It has a campus size of 918 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 710. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 19.4 and female students 29.2. The student organization that is most favored by students is Pre-PA Student Association, followed by Alpha Lambda Delta and NeuriCATS. Other popular organizations among the students at University of Kentucky are The Finance Society and Interfraternity Council.
Students who have a talent for music can join the University of Kentucky band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? University of Kentucky publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of Kentucky, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of Kentucky.
All in all, campus life at University of Kentucky is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Kentucky.
Career Counselling
At University of Kentucky, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY.
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University of Kentucky offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of Kentucky is 92%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of Kentucky is 87%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.