B
Good
Score: 64/100
Overall (traditional)
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
32,703
Total Enrollment
70%
Graduation Rate
87%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
92%
Acceptance Rate
$19,838
Avg Net Price
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at University of Kentucky, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
$59,025
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$47,266
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$22,500
Median debt at graduation
71.4%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,215
Average SAT
26
Median ACT
22.5%
Students receiving Pell grants
Typical debt at graduation equals about 38% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 81st 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 University of Kentucky
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.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $79,620 | $99,945 | -8% | #120 of 189 | #70 | $21,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $71,293 | $99,535 | +8% | #122 of 459 | #61 | $21,453 |
| Chemical Engineering | $65,389 | $98,003 | +-0% | #67 of 158 | #28 | $22,950 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $78,006 | $96,913 | -4% | #157 of 258 | #43 | $23,485 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,448 | $90,654 | -2% | #168 of 318 | #49 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,474 | $85,777 | +13% | #167 of 796 | #60 | $22,562 |
| Materials Engineering | — | $84,796 | -7% | #28 of 34 | #10 | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,422 | $84,087 | +1% | #154 of 452 | #75 | $20,750 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $19,370 | $82,533 | +35% | #10 of 156 | #4 | $23,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,461 | $81,941 | -8% | #647 of 966 | #320 | $25,418 |
| Civil Engineering | $67,044 | $81,031 | -6% | #179 of 233 | #45 | $22,478 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,282 | $77,663 | +2% | #36 of 93 | #15 | $15,688 |
| Mathematics | $39,211 | $75,222 | +8% | #116 of 309 | #57 | $18,102 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $51,081 | $74,202 | -5% | #53 of 84 | #35 | $20,441 |
| Chemistry | — | $73,549 | +13% | #48 of 209 | #5 | $22,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $46,477 | $70,942 | +21% | #65 of 275 | #25 | $23,250 |
| Marketing | $48,100 | $70,776 | +2% | #177 of 516 | #80 | $22,500 |
| Business/Commerce | $49,431 | $69,451 | +2% | #79 of 271 | #34 | $22,500 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $51,864 | $68,605 | -19% | #25 of 26 | #24 | $19,500 |
| Economics | $41,713 | $68,532 | -17% | #289 of 368 | #194 | $25,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $34,315 | $66,255 | +15% | #9 of 57 | #4 | $22,612 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $41,508 | $65,847 | -1% | #41 of 77 | #20 | $19,500 |
| Information Science/Studies | $49,165 | $65,407 | -23% | #122 of 148 | #97 | $25,000 |
| Landscape Architecture | $52,841 | $64,143 | -3% | #16 of 19 | #7 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | $42,168 | $62,966 | +22% | #54 of 299 | #19 | $26,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $45,275 | $62,754 | -1% | #83 of 178 | #43 | $23,000 |
| Architecture | $37,078 | $62,383 | -7% | #65 of 78 | #29 | $20,815 |
| Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields | $39,657 | $60,375 | -8% | #3 of 5 | #3 | $21,694 |
| Public Health | $36,957 | $59,163 | +1% | #95 of 215 | #39 | $23,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,745 | $57,514 | -9% | #387 of 565 | #186 | $20,500 |
| Sociology | $34,922 | $56,266 | +7% | #142 of 462 | #33 | $24,041 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | $56,234 | +2% | #111 of 225 | #40 | — |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | $29,529 | $55,937 | +11% | #17 of 63 | #9 | $25,100 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,311 | $55,653 | -1% | #279 of 660 | #96 | $22,500 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $27,447 | $55,633 | +1% | #27 of 50 | #12 | $20,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $27,144 | $53,918 | +9% | #15 of 78 | #5 | $20,800 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | $52,815 | -10% | #181 of 215 | #120 | $26,000 |
| Journalism | $36,926 | $52,785 | -6% | #118 of 187 | #49 | $25,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $27,809 | $52,477 | -7% | #93 of 137 | #52 | $21,125 |
| Biology | $31,360 | $52,163 | -9% | #622 of 841 | #387 | $22,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,282 | $51,379 | +-0% | #166 of 345 | #56 | $22,804 |
| Forestry | $32,573 | $51,331 | -13% | #28 of 31 | #22 | — |
| Social Work | $36,312 | $51,313 | -1% | #220 of 420 | #59 | $22,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,117 | $50,204 | -9% | #192 of 265 | #91 | $20,606 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $27,323 | $49,167 | +2% | #21 of 43 | #11 | $27,000 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $26,104 | $47,698 | -20% | #74 of 87 | #54 | $24,550 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | $31,464 | $47,296 | -2% | #22 of 49 | #9 | $27,000 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $35,167 | $46,843 | -13% | #11 of 14 | #8 | $19,500 |
| Psychology | $28,551 | $46,570 | -8% | #723 of 1027 | #345 | $23,500 |
| History | $28,432 | $46,111 | -9% | #345 of 459 | #192 | $18,750 |
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.
🏆 Where University of Kentucky Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,849 | $32,043 |
| Room | $10,362 | |
| Board | $4,880 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $35,098 | $55,292 |
Financial Aid
97%
Receive Any Aid
24%
Receive Pell Grants
42%
Take Out Loans
$19,838
Avg Net Price
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,267 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,329 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,557 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,655 |
| $110,001+ | $24,687 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Social Work
1,196 grads/yr
Business/Commerce, General
548 grads/yr
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
439 grads/yr
Clinical/Medical Social Work
420 grads/yr
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
359 grads/yr
Finance, General
323 grads/yr
Psychology, General
292 grads/yr
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
251 grads/yr
Accounting
207 grads/yr
Medicine
196 grads/yr
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
189 grads/yr
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
184 grads/yr
Mechanical Engineering
164 grads/yr
Computer and Information Sciences, General
153 grads/yr
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
150 grads/yr
Law
140 grads/yr
Pharmacy
134 grads/yr
Communication Management and Strategic Communications
126 grads/yr
Political Science and Government, General
109 grads/yr
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
109 grads/yr
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from University of Kentucky's top programs commonly pursue.
Social and community service managers
$78k/yr
219,800 jobs
Social work teachers, postsecondary
$76k/yr
17,100 jobs
Social workers, all other
$69k/yr
81,000 jobs
Healthcare social workers
$68k/yr
193,200 jobs
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
$65k/yr
92,300 jobs
Marriage and family therapists
$64k/yr
77,800 jobs
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
$60k/yr
136,800 jobs
Child, family, and school social workers
$59k/yr
399,900 jobs
Student Demographics
32,703
Total Students
60%
Women
92%
Traditional Age (18-24)
6%
Off-Campus Renters
👥 Race & Ethnicity
White
74%
Hispanic
6%
Black
7%
Asian
4%
Two or More
4%
Non-Resident
4%
🏠 Living Arrangements
On Campus
89%
Off-Campus (Renters)
6%
With Family
6%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~1,831 students need off-campus housing
💻 Learning Mode
In-Person
52%
Hybrid (Some Online)
34%
Fully Online
14%
📊 Age Distribution
18-24 (Traditional)
92%
25-64 (Adult)
5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Kentucky?
University of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 92%.
This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend University of Kentucky?
Tuition at University of Kentucky is
$11,849 for in-state students
and $32,043 for out-of-state students
.
However, the average net price after financial aid is $19,838.
What is the graduation rate at University of Kentucky?
The graduation rate at University of Kentucky is 70%.
This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is University of Kentucky a good school?
University of Kentucky has a Repit College Score of 64/100 (Grade: B).
Our rating evaluates five key factors:
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend University of Kentucky?
University of Kentucky has a total enrollment of 32,703 students.
Most students (92%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near University of Kentucky?
Yes! Approximately 6% of students at University of Kentucky live off-campus (not with family).
That's roughly 1,831 students who need rental housing near campus.
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for University of Kentucky — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to University of Kentucky
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology