McKendree University vs. Kentucky

Should I go to McKendree University or University of Kentucky? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McKendree University or Kentucky is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Tennessee Louisville IU UC Auburn Alabama WKU Purdue Ohio State Michigan State Virginia Tech NKU
McKendree University vs. University of Kentucky comparison
McKendree University University of Kentucky College 3 College 4
McKendree University University of Kentucky
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

McKendree University Kentucky
Location Lebanon, IL Lexington, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 2,075 32,703
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #593 #421
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu uky.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University Kentucky
Tuition (In State) $32,660 $11,849
Tuition (Out of State) $32,660 $32,043
Room & Board $12,270 $15,242
Avg Net Price $25,200 $19,838
Avg Grant Aid $22,269 $13,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 96%

Admission

McKendree University Kentucky
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,652 28,233
Admitted 1,694 26,083
Acceptance Rate 63.9% 92.4%
Enrolled % 25.7% 24.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/28 21/28
SAT Range 871/1277 1080/1290
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025

Academics

McKendree University Kentucky
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

McKendree University Kentucky
Graduation Rate 54% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $22,750
Median Loan Payment $240 $235

Diversity

McKendree University Kentucky
% Men 7% 9%
% Women 15% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 76%
% Black 14% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

McKendree University Kentucky
% In-State 54% 58%
% Out-of-State 31% 40%

Campus

McKendree University Kentucky
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Kentucky is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (32,703 students vs. 2,075 students)

McKendree University vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or Kentucky?

  • McKendree University is 175.6% more expensive to attend than Kentucky for in-state tuition ($32,660.00 vs. $11,849.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.9% higher at McKendree University than University of Kentucky ($32,660.00 vs. $32,043.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kentucky than McKendree University ($19,838 vs. $25,200)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McKendree University are 24.2% lower than costs at University of Kentucky ($12,270 vs. $15,242)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Kentucky than McKendree University (96% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 71% larger than aid received University of Kentucky ($22,269 vs. $13,024)

McKendree University vs. Kentucky Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McKendree University or Kentucky? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Kentucky or McKendree University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Kentucky (1143) is 137 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming Kentucky students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than McKendree University (63.9%)

McKendree University vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University or Kentucky? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Kentucky and McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at Kentucky is higher than McKendree University (59% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Kentucky earn on average $2,700 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $48,300)
  • University of Kentucky students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than McKendree University graduates. ($22,750 vs. $23,250)
  • Kentucky graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than McKendree University graduates. ($235 vs. $240)
  • More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/