Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
The University of Kentucky occupies an urban campus in Lexington, Kentucky's second-largest city, located in the heart of the Bluegrass Region. Established in 1865 as a land-grant institution, UK features a mix of modern and traditional architecture across its 784-acre campus, including the iconic Memorial Hall and William T. Young Library. The university operates as the state's flagship public research institution, with selective admission standards and comprehensive academic offerings across 16 colleges, notably known for its programs in engineering, business, pharmacy, and agriculture. The main campus houses approximately one-third of its undergraduate population in residence halls, while its athletics program competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), with particular prominence in men's basketball, including eight NCAA national championships. The university maintains a significant research presence in the region through its academic medical center and various research facilities focused on areas such as pharmaceutical sciences and agricultural innovation.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Kentucky is rated within the top 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Kentucky within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#408 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#117 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Colleges in Kentucky
#2 in Best Public Colleges in Kentucky
#304 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Value Colleges in Kentucky
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1070/1290 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.59 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Kentucky Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,363 |
| Room and Board | $14,676 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,330 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,065 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,363 |
| Room and Board | $14,676 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,330 |
| Total One Year Cost | $52,482 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 19% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Engineering | 8% |
| Education | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about University of Kentucky.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157085 IPEDS survey data for University of Kentucky.
Current students may use the University of Kentucky GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024