University of Kentucky

www.uky.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$11,849

3.07% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$19,838

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

92.4%

28,233 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

32,703

87.5% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

69.7%

3,291 Graduates

About

University of Kentucky is a higher education institution located in Fayette County, KY. In 2023, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at University of Kentucky were Social Work (760 degrees awarded), General Business (116 degrees), and Library & Information Science (102 degrees).

In 2023, 9,834 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Kentucky. 61.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 38.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (7,332 degrees), 12.4 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (593 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of Kentucky is $11,849, which is $−19,154 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at University of Kentucky was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 4,773 total borrowers.

Photo by Tom Ipri

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at University of Kentucky is $11,849, which is $19,155 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $19,838.

In 2023, 87% of undergraduate students attending University of Kentucky received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 35% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$11,849

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at University of Kentucky was $11,849. The cost of tuition at University of Kentucky is $−19,155 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of Kentucky (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$19,838

2023 Value

6.13%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 University of Kentucky had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,838. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of University of Kentucky grew by 6.13%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of Kentucky (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$13,412

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of Kentucky was of $13,412 in 2023. The cost of room and board decreased by 4.2% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies increased by 20% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of Kentucky (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

87%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

35%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

87% of undergraduate students at University of Kentucky received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 1.14% with respect to 2022, when 88% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of Kentucky (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at University of Kentucky was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 4773 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

University of Kentucky received 28,233 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 27.7% annual growth. Out of those 28,233 applicants, 26,083 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 92.4% acceptance rate.

There were 32,703 students enrolled at University of Kentucky in 2023. 9% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of Kentucky has an overall enrollment yield of 24.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

92.4%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

26,083

Accepted Out of 28,233

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of Kentucky was 92.4% (26,083 admissions from 28,233 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 94.9%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 27.7%, while admissions grew by 24.3%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of Kentucky (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2023)

556

Scores Submitted (2023)

9% of enrolled first-time students at University of Kentucky in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of Kentucky had a total enrollment of 32,703 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at University of Kentucky is 28,626 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,077. This means that 87.5% of students enrolled at University of Kentucky are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of Kentucky, both undergraduate and graduate, is 74% White, 7.04% Black or African American, 5.95% Hispanic or Latino, 3.79% Asian, 3.67% Two or More Races, 0.177% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0856% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at University of Kentucky in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (44.3%), followed by White Male (31.6%) and Black or African American Female (3.97%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (42.6%), followed by White Male (23.7%) and Black or African American Female (5.66%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

87.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of Kentucky in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 32,703 students. The full-time enrollment at University of Kentucky is 28,626 and the part-time enrollment is 4,077. This means that 87.5% of students enrolled at University of Kentucky are enrolled full-time compared with 77.9% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of Kentucky (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

87%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of Kentucky was 87%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), University of Kentucky had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of Kentucky (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
24,210 enrolled students
Black or African American
2,303 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,945 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of Kentucky is 74% White, 7.04% Black or African American, 5.95% Hispanic or Latino, 3.79% Asian, 3.67% Two or More Races, 0.177% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0856% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.5% White, 15.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.78% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 561 students (1.72%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 2,274 more women than men received degrees from University of Kentucky. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of Kentucky is white (7,332 degrees awarded). There were 12.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (593 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at University of Kentucky is Social Work (760 degrees awarded), followed by General Business (116 degrees) and Library & Information Science (102 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of Kentucky, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Library Science (102 degrees awarded), Public Administration and Social Service (1,087 degrees), and Agriculture (335 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Software developers (473,674 people), Other managers (456,997 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (359,357 people), Civil engineers (297,688 people), and Mechanical engineers (214,986 people).

The most specialized majors at University of Kentucky in 2023 are Library Science (102 degrees awarded), Public Administration and Social Service (1,087 degrees), Agriculture (335 degrees), Communications (423 degrees), and Engineering (689 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Aircraft pilots & flight engineers

The most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Library Science (102 degrees awarded), Public Administration and Social Service (1,087 degrees), Agriculture (335 degrees), Communications (423 degrees), and Engineering (689 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of Kentucky are Computer Systems Design (500,649 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (427,332 people), Elementary & secondary schools (312,219 people), Construction (288,499 people), and Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (271,612 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of Kentucky.

Most Common (2023)

General Business
392 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
387 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
385 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of Kentucky was General Business with 392 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of Kentucky according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,780

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

6,054

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 3,780 degrees were awarded to men at University of Kentucky, which is 0.624 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (6,054).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of Kentucky by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 298 degrees were awarded to men at University of Kentucky in General Business, which is 1.36 times more than the 219 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 910 degrees were awarded to men at University of Kentucky in Social Work, which is 6.89 times more than the 132 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

51%

100% Completion Time

68%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 51% of students graduating from University of Kentucky completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 68% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 69% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (80.6%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at University of Kentucky is Female and Asian (80.6% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.61% of graduates (86 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
7,332 degrees awarded
Black or African American
593 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
513 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of Kentucky is white (7,332 degrees awarded). There were 12.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (593 degrees).

3.64% of degree recipients (358 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
4,589 degrees awarded
White Male
2,743 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
409 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of Kentucky is white female (4,589 degrees awarded). There were 1.67 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (2,743 degrees).

Operations

University of Kentucky has an endowment valued at nearly $1.89B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 222M (11.8%) compared to the 4.37% average return (19M on 434M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2023, University of Kentucky had a total salary expenditure of 5.43B. University of Kentucky employs 432 Professors, 402 Associate professors and 316 Assistant professors. Most academics at University of Kentucky are Male Professor (295), Male Associate professor (213), and Female Associate professor (189).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of Kentucky are: Office and Administrative Support, with 1,487 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1,429 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 718 employees.

Endowment

$1.89B

2023 Endowment

7.64%

growth from 2022

University of Kentucky has an endowment valued at about $1.89B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of University of Kentucky grew 7.64% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.45B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at University of Kentucky (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$2.32B

2023 Salaries

17.2%

growth from 2022

In 2023, University of Kentucky paid a median of $2.32B in salaries, which represents 42.7% of their overall expenditure ($5.43B) and a 17.2% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 12.8% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 4.43% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 246M (41.5% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$158M

Instructional Salaries

1,383

Number of Employees

In 2023, University of Kentucky paid a total of $158M to 1,383 employees working as instructors, which represents 6.81% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.13M (2.35%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

432 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1,487 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at University of Kentucky were Professor with 432 employees, Associate professor with 402 employees, and Assistant professor with 316 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of Kentucky were Office and Administrative Support with 1,487 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,429 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 718 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Associate professor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at University of Kentucky was Male Professor with 295 employees, Male Associate professor with 213 employees, and Female Associate professor with 189 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at University of Kentucky.

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