Arkansas vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR 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 Arkansas based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 33,610 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Arkansas vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas than Kentucky ($18,408 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas are 11.1% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,244 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 33.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $3,398 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Kentucky than at University of Arkansas (about $4,174 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $29,966.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of Arkansas (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 46.5% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($12,898 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 50 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming Arkansas students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Kentucky (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Arkansas vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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).

• The graduation rate at Arkansas is the same as at University of Kentucky (59% vs. 59%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $600 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($222 vs. $235).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.