Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More

University of Kentucky
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 academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 94%. The freshman retention rate at University of Kentucky is 84.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 15. Learn more about what University of Kentucky has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
22,735
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
94%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
69%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Learn some essential facts about admission at University of Kentucky.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 20,979 in 2023. University of Kentucky has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them.
Test Scores
8.8% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 60.5% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 10% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 34.1% between 1,200 and 1,399, 44.8% between 1,000 and 1,199, 10.5% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.6% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 18.1, 38.5 between 24-29, 36.6 in the range between 18-23, and 6.8 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2023 was 25 and the average GPA was 3.61. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 600 and an average SAT Math score of 600.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to this school is February 15.
94%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of Kentucky was 84.5% in 2023, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best match for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of Kentucky in 2023 was 31,547.
That year, the institution had 31.1% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 22,735, 349 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 925.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 11,315 male and 16,305 female full-time students in 2023, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. 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. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 792 Asian students and 1,488 Afro-American students in 2023. 1,357 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 907 as multirace. The school also had 15 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 41 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 350 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at University of Kentucky.
The most recent records show that 2,570 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $15,167 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 4,422 students who secured 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 total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 9,770. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $25,797,463, and state $33,368,430. The students of University of Kentucky received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $132,851,455, and external in the amount of $8,027,904.
$9,338
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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 8,457 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Kentucky in 2023. 2,476 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
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2023, this ratio at University of Kentucky was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 2,261 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 1,133 male and 1,128 female faculty members.
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 info about students' life at University of Kentucky.
Its campus is 918 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 584 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 23 percent of male and 33 of female students participate in different organizations at University of Kentucky. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Snowcats, followed by Society of Women Engineers and Pre-Medical Activities Council. Other popular organizations at University of Kentucky are Alpha Phi Omega and Wildcat Service Dogs.
Students who like music can join the University of Kentucky band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? University of Kentucky publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Kentucky offers a number of services vital for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
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 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY.
-
University of Kentucky offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
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.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of Kentucky is 94%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Kentucky is 84.5%.
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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.