Principia College vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Principia College vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or Kentucky? 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 Principia College than Kentucky ($18,248 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Principia College are 13.1% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,910 vs. $16,016).
• Principia College is 156.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $21,178 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Principia College than at University of Kentucky (about $540 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Principia College (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 135.7% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($30,402 vs. $12,898).

Principia College vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 30 points higher than at Principia College (1150).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Kentucky? 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).

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.