KY State vs. Spalding

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with Spalding University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kentucky State University is larger than Spalding based on total student enrollment (2,020 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Spalding University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; Spalding University 9:1.

KY State vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State or Spalding? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kentucky State University than Spalding ($9,397 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 10.5% lower than at Spalding University ($8,686 vs. $9,710).
• Spalding University is 211.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $19,813 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.8% higher at Spalding than at Kentucky State University (about $15,542 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University than at Kentucky State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spalding University students is 87.9% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($19,429 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. Spalding Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State or Spalding? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Spalding and KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spalding University (960) is 40 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming Spalding students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; Spalding - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 1.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at KY State (2.72).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than KY State (96.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 15.6% at Spalding.

KY State vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State and Spalding? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($258 vs. $299).
• More Spalding graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 24%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.