Kentucky vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Tech University is larger than Kentucky based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 34,709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

Kentucky vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University than Kentucky ($16,919 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 32.9% lower than at University of Kentucky ($10,742 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Tech (about $1,650 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $11,852.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.6% higher at Kentucky than at Texas Tech University (about $9,689 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Texas Tech University (95% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 22.9% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($12,898 vs. $10,494).

Kentucky vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Tech University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Texas Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Texas Tech (72.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

Kentucky vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and Texas Tech? 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).

• Texas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from Texas Tech University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Tech University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Texas Tech graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($232 vs. $235).
• More Texas Tech 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.