Kentucky vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

Kentucky vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than Kentucky ($15,045 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 9.7% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,458 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 86.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $6,263 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.8% higher at Kentucky than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $11,648 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (95% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 61.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($12,898 vs. $7,966).

Kentucky vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or UNC Charlotte? 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 UNC Charlotte and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 60 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Kentucky students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at UNC Charlotte (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

Kentucky vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and UNC Charlotte? 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($22,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($235 vs. $237).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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.