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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%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 15. Read more about what you can expect if you get into University of Kentucky.
Quick Facts
25,535
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. How difficult is it to get admitted to University of Kentucky and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent 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 in cases when they are submitted by the student.
Test Scores
7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 50% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 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% between 800 and 999, and 1.7% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students 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 accepted 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 new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 591 and an average SAT Math score of 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 freshmen who return for their sophomore year. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Kentucky was 87%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. 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 total number of students enrolled at University of Kentucky in 2025 was 34,710.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 33.3. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 25,535, 319 of which were foreign students. The school admitted 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. There were 2,566 full-time graduate male and 4,255 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. 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 identified with more than one race. The school also had 20 students who identified 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
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important data on University of Kentucky costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about University of Kentucky estimated tuition fees.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $12,472. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $33,729 in 2025. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $33,729, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $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
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant expense. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of Kentucky was $16,696 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $11,250 for one academic year. 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
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Kentucky, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 3,578 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $16,880 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 5,109 students who received 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 found to be 11,066. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $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 financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria 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, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 3,497 full-time freshman.
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
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at University of Kentucky was 18:1. That means that there were 18 times more students than teachers at this school. 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 speaks volumes for gender equality at University of Kentucky.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of Kentucky: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at University of Kentucky.
Its campus spans 918 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
This school has 710 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. 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 attracts the greatest number of students is Pre-PA Student Association, followed by Alpha Lambda Delta and NeuriCATS. Other popular student organizations at this school are The Finance Society and Interfraternity Council.
Those who have a talent for music can join the University of Kentucky band or chorus. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join. You have a passion for 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 emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has 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 everything most students need.
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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset 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 data indicate that the 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.
