Kentucky vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than WVU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 23,643 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Kentucky vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Kentucky ($15,169 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 9% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,582 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 33.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $3,398 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Kentucky than at West Virginia University (about $5,532 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at West Virginia University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 4.3% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($12,898 vs. $12,363).

Kentucky vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 60 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 23 at WVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 21/28; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Kentucky students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WVU (3.45).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Kentucky vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than West Virginia University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $400 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $1,251 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($22,750 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($235 vs. $248).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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.