C
Average
Score: 50/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
21/100 · earnings-weighted

Kentucky State University

4-Year Public HBCU
📍 Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Kentucky State University campus, Frankfort, KY
Kentucky State University campus, Frankfort, KY. Photo: Normal Op, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 27%
Outcomes
C
52/100
Affordability
B
66/100
Resources
C
49/100
Experience
B
70/100
Prestige
F
18/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

1,689
Total Enrollment
27%
Graduation Rate
61%
Retention Rate
14.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
93%
Acceptance Rate
$9,672
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Kentucky State University ▼

4% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$247,864
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,035
1-Year Change
+2.2%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Kentucky State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$36,382
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$29,640
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$25,938
Median debt at graduation
31.9%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
870
Average SAT
58.3%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 71% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 9th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (KY wage index 0.78). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Kentucky State University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Criminal Justice and Corrections$33,099$46,767-16%#565 of 660#432$27,000
Psychology—$42,743-16%#883 of 1027#647$29,265
Business/Commerce$27,013$42,392-38%#269 of 271#264$27,000
Journalism—$42,363-25%#177 of 187#161—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$25,378$34,522-33%#343 of 345#342$18,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Kentucky State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $247,864
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,035/mo — vs ~$500/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 40003 (3.8% cap, Bagdad)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $8,088 $12,134
Room $4,500
Board $3,686
Total Cost (On-Campus) $21,727 $25,773

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
80%
Receive Pell Grants
77%
Take Out Loans
$9,672
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$6,809
$30,001 - $48,000$5,703
$48,001 - $75,000$9,471
$75,001 - $110,000$15,362
$110,001+$17,285

Student Demographics

1,689
Total Students
58%
Women
80%
Traditional Age (18-24)
4%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 9%
Hispanic 1%
Black 67%
Two or More 3%
Non-Resident 3%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 85%
Off-Campus (Renters) 4%
With Family 11%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~68 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 32%
Hybrid (Some Online) 58%
Fully Online 10%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 80%
25-64 (Adult) 7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Kentucky State University?
Kentucky State University has an acceptance rate of 93%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Kentucky State University?
Tuition at Kentucky State University is $8,088 for in-state students and $12,134 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $9,672.
What is the graduation rate at Kentucky State University?
The graduation rate at Kentucky State University is 27%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Kentucky State University a good school?
Kentucky State University has a Repit College Score of 50/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Kentucky State University?
Kentucky State University has a total enrollment of 1,689 students. Most students (80%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near Kentucky State University?
Yes! Approximately 4% of students at Kentucky State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 68 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Kentucky State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Kentucky State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, KY · 834 students
C
Lindsey Wilson College
Columbia, KY · 4,055 students
C
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Louisville, KY · 94 students
C
University of Pikeville
Pikeville, KY · 2,610 students
C
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY · 12,451 students
C
Spalding University
Louisville, KY · 1,555 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology