University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky · Public · 24,763 undergraduates · uky.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
94%
of 33,387 applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
1058 to 1270
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$39,360Est.Estimate
$61,830 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at University of Kentucky
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
94% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored, and your GPA is in the middle half of freshmen's.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$61,830
a year in 2027-28, from a $61,830 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1165
Send your score
About 54% of freshmen here didn't send a score. We estimate their typical SAT at about 980, and yours is above it.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Send official score reports when you apply.
Source: Admission Checklist | Admission · Checked October 16, 2026
Application deadlines
- Dec1Early Action · December 1, 2026Apply early and hear early. Not binding.
- Feb15Regular Decision · February 15, 2027The standard deadline.
Source: Admission Checklist | Admission
Who gets in
94%
of applicants were admitted: 31,222 of 33,387 for fall 2025.
Early Action
Not binding. Apply by 12/1.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen (fall 2025)
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above. 9% of them sent SAT scores and 48% sent ACT scores.
SAT total 1058 to 1270
Reading and Writing 540 to 650
Math 510 to 630
ACT composite 21 to 28
How enrolled freshmen scored on the SAT
- 1400 to 16008.2%
- 1200 to 139935%
- 1000 to 119942%
- 800 to 99915%
- 600 to 7990.7%
- 400 to 5990%
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
High school GPA of enrolled freshmen
Average GPA: 3.58
- 4.014%
- 3.75 to 3.9931%
- 3.50 to 3.7421%
- 3.25 to 3.4914%
- 3.00 to 3.2411%
- 2.50 to 2.998.4%
- Below 2.501.1%
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$39,360
a year, in state
$61,830
a year, out of state (tuition $35,550)
- Tuition (in state)$13,080
- Fees$1,510
- Food and housing$17,540
- Books and supplies$1,230
- Transportation and other$6,000
University of Kentucky published $38,257 in state for 2026-27. Its 2027-28 prices aren't out yet.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$12,528
- $30,001 to $48,000$12,460
- $48,001 to $75,000$14,192
- $75,001 to $110,000$20,327
- Over $110,000$27,661
Financial aid
57%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
$9,921
average need-based grant to freshmen, money you don't repay
38%
of freshmen got merit aid without financial need, $8,450 on average
- FAFSA
- Required for need-based aid. It's the free federal aid form.
- CSS Profile
- Not required. Only the FAFSA is needed.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
National Merit University of Kentucky Scholarship (NMSC college-sponsored)
National Merit
Deadline: Name this college your first choice with NMSC.
Details
Kentucky programs for residents
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
State program · In-state students
$36/year bonus (added to base award)
- 2.75+ GPA, 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 15 / SAT 830-870; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 880+ SAT or 16+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 16 / SAT 880-910; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 920+ SAT or 17+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 17 / SAT 920-950; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 960+ SAT or 18+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 18 / SAT 960-980; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 19 / SAT 990-1020; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 20 / SAT 1030-1050; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 21 / SAT 1060-1090; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 22 / SAT 1100-1120; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 23 / SAT 1130-1150; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 24 / SAT 1160-1190; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 25 / SAT 1200-1220; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1230+ SAT or 26+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 26 / SAT 1230-1250; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 27 / SAT 1260-1290; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 28+ / SAT 1300-1600; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, Base award (GPA only; no test component); Graduate of certified KY high school; meet KEES curriculum requirements; not a convicted felon, from Kentucky
- 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, Homeschool / non-certified school / KY GED graduates (test-only award); KY homeschool or non-certified school graduate, or KY GED earned between ages 18 and 23
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
43 of 43
Earn credit with a score of 3
43 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,310Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | A-S 1-- |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | A-S 1-- |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | AAS 2-- |
| African American Studies | 4 | 3 | AAS 200 |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | A-H 106 |
| Biology | 3 | 6 | BIO 102 & 103 |
| Biology | 4 | 9 | BIO 103, 148 & 152 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MA 113 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | MA 113 & 114 |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 3 | 4 | MA 113 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 5 | CHE 105 & 111 |
| Chemistry | 5 | 8 | CHE 105, 107 & 111 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | CHI 102 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 8 | CHI 102 & 201 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | CHI 102, 201 & 202 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PS 210 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | CS 115 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CS 1-- |
| Computer Science Principles | 5 | 3 | CS 101 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | A-S 1-- |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | WRD 1-- |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | 3 | WRD 1-- |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 1-- |
| English Literature and Composition | 5 | 3 | ENG 230 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | EES 110 |
| European History | 3 | 6 | HIS 104 & 105 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | FR 201 & 202 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | FR 202 & 214 |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 6 | FR 214 & 350 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | GER 201 |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | GER 201 & 202 |
| German Language and Culture | 5 | 9 | GER 201, 202 & 307 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEO 172 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | ITA 201 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | ITA 201 & 202 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | JPN 201 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 8 | JPN 201 & 202 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 5 | 11 | JPN 201, 202 & 301 |
| Latin | 3 | 3 | LAT 201 |
| Latin | 4 | 6 | LAT 201 & 202 |
| Latin | 5 | 12 | LAT 201, 202, CLA 301, 302 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 202 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 201 |
| Music Aural Subscore | 3 | 3 | MUS 174 |
| Music Aural Subscore | 4 | 2 | MUS 170 |
| Music Aural Subscore | 5 | 4 | MUS 170 & 172 |
| Music Non-Aural Subscore | 3 | 3 | MUS 174 |
| Music Non-Aural Subscore | 4 | 2 | MUS 171 |
| Music Non-Aural Subscore | 5 | 4 | MUS 171 & 173 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUS 174 |
| Music Theory | 4 | 2 | With aural subscore: MUS 170 With non-aural subscore: MUS 171 |
| Music Theory | 5 | 4 | With aural subscore: MUS 170 & 172 With non-aural subscore: MUS 171, 173 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 3 | PHY 151 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 3 | PHY 152 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHY 232 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHY 231 |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 7 | MA 109 & 110 |
| Psychology | 3 | 4 | PSY 100 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | GEED 1-- |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | WRD 1-- |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 202 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | SPA 210 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 5 | 6 | SPA 210 & 211 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 202 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 3 | SPA 320 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 5 | 6 | SPA 320 & 322 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | GEED 2-- |
| Statistics | 4 | 6 | STA 210 & 296 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PS 101 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HIS 108 & 109 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 | HIS 1-- |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
72%
Come back for a second year
87%
Typical earnings
$63,924
a year, 10 years after starting here
- University of Kentucky$57,002
- All colleges$53,419
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 57 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky logo is a trademark of the college.