Kentucky Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Lexington, KY
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Kentucky Admission Overview
Kentucky admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Kentucky admitted 92.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.59 GPA (A-) and SAT 1070-1290 / ACT 21-28. Kentucky is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Kentucky is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Kentucky Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for University of Kentucky
Acceptance Rate
The Kentucky acceptance rate is 92.9%. Last year, 29,293 of 31,517 applicants were admitted. That is the 20th lowest acceptance rate in Kentucky.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Kentucky and can you get accepted?
Kentucky is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
University of Kentucky typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.59. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Kentucky GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.59Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.59
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Kentucky typically have around a 3.59 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Kentucky is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #7 in Kentucky for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Kentucky Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Kentucky is test-optional for first-year admission through the 2028-29 academic year. SAT and ACT scores are not required. Students who choose to send scores must submit official ACT or SAT results from the testing agency or on an official high school transcript. UK accepts the ACT composite with or without the Science section and reviews submitted scores for admission and scholarships.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.uky.edu/freshman/admission-checklist
Kentucky SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1070-1290Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
7%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 540
- Math 530
- Composite 1070
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 640
- Composite 1290
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Kentucky typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1070–1290) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. Kentucky ranks #5 in the state of Kentucky for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1070 to 1290
SAT policy
Kentucky is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Kentucky ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
21-28Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
50%25th Percentile Scores
- English 21
- Math 20
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 27
- Composite 28
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Kentucky typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–28) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Kentucky places #6 among colleges in Kentucky for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 28
ACT policy
You may apply to Kentucky without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Kentucky chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Kentucky and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 15, 2027Days left to Apply
147Applicants have 147 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Kentucky is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Kentucky is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 92.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.59 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1070-1290); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Kentucky often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157085.
GPA calculator: University of Kentucky GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026