University of Kentucky

www.uky.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$12,109

2.19% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$21,958

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

92.9%

31,517 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

34,709

87.7% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

71.2%

3,519 Graduates

About

University of Kentucky is a higher education institution located in Fayette County, KY. In 2024, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at University of Kentucky were Social Work (861 degrees awarded), General Business (119 degrees), and Library & Information Science (98 degrees).

In 2024, 9,971 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Kentucky. 62.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (7,476 degrees), 10.8 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (693 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of Kentucky is $12,109, which is $−19,811 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by Tom Ipri

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at University of Kentucky is $12,109, which is $19,811 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $21,958.

In 2024, 88% of undergraduate students attending University of Kentucky received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 34% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$12,109

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Kentucky was $12,109. The cost of tuition at University of Kentucky is $−19,811 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of Kentucky (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$21,958

2024 Value

10.7%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 University of Kentucky had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,958. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of University of Kentucky grew by 10.7%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of Kentucky (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$15,242

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of Kentucky was of $15,242 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 13.6% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of Kentucky (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

88%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

34%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

88% of undergraduate students at University of Kentucky received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.15% with respect to 2023, when 87% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of Kentucky (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

University of Kentucky received 31,517 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 11.6% annual growth. Out of those 31,517 applicants, 29,293 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 92.9% acceptance rate.

There were 34,709 students enrolled at University of Kentucky in 2024. 7% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of Kentucky has an overall enrollment yield of 22.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

92.9%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

29,293

Accepted Out of 31,517

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of Kentucky was 92.9% (29,293 admissions from 31,517 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 92.4%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 11.6%, while admissions grew by 12.3%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of Kentucky (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2024)

481

Scores Submitted (2024)

7% of enrolled first-time students at University of Kentucky in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of Kentucky had a total enrollment of 34,709 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at University of Kentucky is 30,442 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,267. This means that 87.7% of students enrolled at University of Kentucky are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of Kentucky, both undergraduate and graduate, is 73.8% White, 6.88% Black or African American, 6.44% Hispanic or Latino, 3.99% Two or More Races, 3.73% Asian, 0.202% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0807% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at University of Kentucky in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (44.5%), followed by White Male (31.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (3.84%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (42.2%), followed by White Male (23.6%) and Black or African American Female (5.89%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

87.7%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of Kentucky in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 34,709 students. The full-time enrollment at University of Kentucky is 30,442 and the part-time enrollment is 4,267. This means that 87.7% of students enrolled at University of Kentucky are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of Kentucky (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

87%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of Kentucky was 87%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), University of Kentucky had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of Kentucky (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
25,632 enrolled students
Black or African American
2,387 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,236 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of Kentucky is 73.8% White, 6.88% Black or African American, 6.44% Hispanic or Latino, 3.99% Two or More Races, 3.73% Asian, 0.202% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0807% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 452 students (1.3%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 2,575 more women than men received degrees from University of Kentucky. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of Kentucky is white (7,476 degrees awarded). There were 10.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (693 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at University of Kentucky is Social Work (861 degrees awarded), followed by General Business (119 degrees) and Library & Information Science (98 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of Kentucky, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Library Science (98 degrees awarded), Public Administration and Social Service (1,253 degrees), and Architecture and Related Services (117 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Other managers (198,452 people), Social workers, all other (159,754 people), Architects, except landscape and naval (110,494 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (97,430 people), and Marketing managers (90,421 people).

The most specialized majors at University of Kentucky in 2024 are Library Science (98 degrees awarded), Public Administration and Social Service (1,253 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (117 degrees), Agriculture (304 degrees), and Communications (457 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Surgeons, Chief executives & legislators, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, and Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers

The most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Library Science (98 degrees awarded), Public Administration and Social Service (1,253 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (117 degrees), Agriculture (304 degrees), and Communications (457 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Elementary & secondary schools (290,583 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (199,281 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (164,806 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (141,075 people), and Computer Systems Design (134,731 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of Kentucky.

Most Common (2024)

General Business
425 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
405 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
339 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of Kentucky was General Business with 425 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of Kentucky according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,698

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

6,273

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 3,698 degrees were awarded to men at University of Kentucky, which is 0.59 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (6,273).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of Kentucky by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 310 degrees were awarded to men at University of Kentucky in General Business, which is 1.3 times more than the 238 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 1,064 degrees were awarded to men at University of Kentucky in Social Work, which is 8.06 times more than the 132 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

52%

100% Completion Time

69%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 52% of students graduating from University of Kentucky completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 69% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 70% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (86.4%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at University of Kentucky is Female and Asian (86.4% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.9% of graduates (102 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
7,476 degrees awarded
Black or African American
693 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
557 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of Kentucky is white (7,476 degrees awarded). There were 10.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (693 degrees).

2.53% of degree recipients (252 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
4,748 degrees awarded
White Female
4,589 degrees awarded
White Female
4,101 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of Kentucky is white female (4,748 degrees awarded). There were 1.03 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (4,589 degrees).

Operations

University of Kentucky has an endowment valued at nearly $2.04B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 338M (16.6%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, University of Kentucky had a total salary expenditure of 6.25B. University of Kentucky employs 435 Professors, 403 Associate professors and 338 Assistant professors. Most academics at University of Kentucky are Male Professor (301), Male Associate professor (213), and Female Assistant professor (191).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of Kentucky are: Office and Administrative Support, with 1,487 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1,434 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 805 employees.

Endowment

$2.04B

2024 Endowment

7.98%

growth from 2023

University of Kentucky has an endowment valued at about $2.04B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of University of Kentucky grew 7.98% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.79B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at University of Kentucky (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$2.66B

2024 Salaries

14.4%

growth from 2023

In 2024, University of Kentucky paid a median of $2.66B in salaries, which represents 42.5% of their overall expenditure ($6.25B) and a 14.4% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 17.2% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 12.8% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$169M

Instructional Salaries

1,440

Number of Employees

In 2024, University of Kentucky paid a total of $169M to 1,440 employees working as instructors, which represents 6.35% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of Kentucky were Office and Administrative Support with 1,487 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,434 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 805 employees.

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