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Public4-year

University of Kentucky

Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Lexington, Kentucky

Official website ↗ University of Kentucky net price calculator ↗ College Scorecard, June 2026

Net price / year

$18,851

after grants & scholarships

higher than 85% of public 4-year colleges

Acceptance rate

93%

Graduation rate

71%

within 150% of normal time

higher than 89% of public 4-year colleges

Median earnings

$65,922

4 years after graduating

higher than 73% of public 4-year colleges

University of Kentucky at a glance

What is the tuition at University of Kentucky?
In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $13,502 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $34,140 for out-of-state students.
What is the cost of attendance at University of Kentucky?
The average cost of attendance is $34,391 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
What is the net price at University of Kentucky?
The average net price for in-state students is $18,851 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at University of Kentucky?
About 93% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
What SAT and ACT scores are typical at University of Kentucky?
The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1070–1290 and an ACT composite of 21–28 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What is the graduation rate at University of Kentucky?
71% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
How much do graduates of University of Kentucky earn?
The median graduate earns $65,922 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).

Key takeaways

  • The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.5 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
  • 71% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 89% of public 4-year colleges.
  • At $18,851 a year, the average net price is higher than 85% of public 4-year colleges.
  • Graduates earn a median $65,922 four years after finishing, more than 73% of public 4-year colleges.
  • Families earning under $30,000 pay about $12,182 a year on average, versus $26,781 for families earning over $110,000.

Tuition and cost of attendance at University of Kentucky

Average net price (in-state)

$18,851 per year

Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.

Estimate your own price with the University of Kentucky net price calculator ↗

Estimated total net cost

$75,404

Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.

Net price by family income

Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.

  1. $0–30k $12,182
  2. $30–48k $12,119
  3. $48–75k $16,313
  4. $75–110k $21,192
  5. $110k+ $26,781

Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $34,391

  • Tuition & fees$13,502
  • Books & supplies$1,200
  • Room & board$16,016
  • Other expenses$5,840
Tuition & fees (in-state)
$13,502
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
$34,140

University of Kentucky acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores

Acceptance rate

Share of applicants admitted.

Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required

SAT range (middle 50%)1070–1290
4001600
ACT composite range (middle 50%)21–28
136

Graduation rate and salary after graduating from University of Kentucky

Graduation rate

71%

First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.

Retention rate

87%

Full-time first-years who return the next fall.

Typical monthly payment

$239

On a standard 10-year federal plan.

Years of earnings premium to cover cost

2.5 years

Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.

Earnings vs debt

Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.

Debt-to-earnings
0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Share of pay going to loans
4.3%
3-year loan default rate
0%

Outcomes by student group

The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.

Completion within 150% of normal time, by group

Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).

Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).

Earnings ten years after entry

All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.

Typical range: middle half of students

25th percentile $38,233 · median $59,025 · 75th percentile $86,281

This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.

Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).

Median federal student debt, by group

Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.

Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).

How borrowers are doing

One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 7,878 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.

Repayment status one year after entering repayment

  • Paid in full 10%
  • Making progress 10%
  • Not making progress 14%
  • Delinquent 2%
  • Default 0%
  • Forbearance 49%
  • Deferment 14%
  • Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
Paid in full:
The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
Making progress:
Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
Not making progress:
The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
Delinquent:
Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
Default:
The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
Forbearance:
Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
Deferment:
Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
Discharged:
The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.

7,878 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).

Programs and majors at University of Kentucky ranked by earnings

ProgramEarnings, 4 yrs afterEarnings over timeCompared with the U.S. median for this fieldMedian debt

Computer Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 38

$99,945 1 yr$79,6204 yrs$99,945

U.S. median $109,015

U.S. middle half $86.3K–$145.2K · Below the U.S. median

$21,500

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 125

$99,535 1 yr$71,2934 yrs$99,5355 yrs$91,572

U.S. median $92,374

U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Above the U.S. median

$21,453

Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 67

$98,003 1 yr$65,3894 yrs$98,0035 yrs$83,438

U.S. median $98,158

U.S. middle half $80.3K–$118K · Below the U.S. median

$22,950

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 68

$96,913 1 yr$78,0064 yrs$96,9135 yrs$88,742

U.S. median $100,647

U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Below the U.S. median

$23,485

Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 190

$90,654 1 yr$68,4484 yrs$90,6545 yrs$87,796

U.S. median $92,135

U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Below the U.S. median

$23,250

Accounting and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 202

$85,777 1 yr$59,4744 yrs$85,7775 yrs$79,925

U.S. median $76,194

U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median

$22,562

Materials Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample

$84,796 —

U.S. median $91,449

U.S. middle half $76.7K–$109.2K · Below the U.S. median

—

Finance and Financial Management Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 217

$84,087 1 yr$58,4224 yrs$84,0875 yrs$80,396

U.S. median $83,343

U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Above the U.S. median

$20,750

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 35

$82,533 1 yr$19,3704 yrs$82,5335 yrs$94,455

U.S. median $61,296

U.S. middle half $42.8K–$82.3K · Above the U.S. median

$23,000

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Bachelor's · Graduates: 227

$81,941 1 yr$71,4614 yrs$81,9415 yrs$72,876

U.S. median $88,910

U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Below the U.S. median

$25,418
Show all 61 programs

Civil Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 95

$81,031 1 yr$67,0444 yrs$81,0315 yrs$76,310

U.S. median $86,517

U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Below the U.S. median

$22,478

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

Bachelor's · Graduates: 38

$77,663 1 yr$59,2824 yrs$77,6635 yrs$65,512

U.S. median $75,975

U.S. middle half $60.9K–$92.3K · Above the U.S. median

$15,688

Mathematics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample

$75,222 1 yr$39,2114 yrs$75,2225 yrs$58,171

U.S. median $69,562

U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Above the U.S. median

$18,102

Business/Managerial Economics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 72

$74,202 1 yr$51,0814 yrs$74,2025 yrs$77,597

U.S. median $77,981

U.S. middle half $55.1K–$106.7K · Below the U.S. median

$20,441

Chemistry

Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample

$73,549 4 yrs$73,5495 yrs$64,235

U.S. median $65,120

U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Above the U.S. median

$22,000

Health and Medical Administrative Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 43

$70,942 1 yr$46,4774 yrs$70,942

U.S. median $58,716

U.S. middle half $41.9K–$80.4K · Above the U.S. median

$23,250

Marketing

Bachelor's · Graduates: 319

$70,776 1 yr$48,1004 yrs$70,7765 yrs$68,574

U.S. median $69,303

U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Above the U.S. median

$22,500

Business/Commerce, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 284

$69,451 1 yr$49,4314 yrs$69,4515 yrs$68,803

U.S. median $68,407

U.S. middle half $48.2K–$94.6K · Above the U.S. median

$22,500

Agricultural Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 36

$68,605 1 yr$51,8644 yrs$68,6055 yrs$90,188

U.S. median $84,624

U.S. middle half $67.9K–$103.9K · Below the U.S. median

$19,500

Economics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$68,532 1 yr$41,7134 yrs$68,5325 yrs$62,955

U.S. median $82,686

U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Below the U.S. median

$25,000

Apparel and Textiles

Bachelor's · Graduates: 61

$66,255 1 yr$34,3154 yrs$66,2555 yrs$51,301

U.S. median $57,640

U.S. middle half $40.6K–$75.9K · Above the U.S. median

$22,612

Agricultural Business and Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 57

$65,847 1 yr$41,5084 yrs$65,8475 yrs$61,999

U.S. median $66,647

U.S. middle half $48.6K–$90.4K · Below the U.S. median

$19,500

Information Science/Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$65,407 1 yr$49,1654 yrs$65,407

U.S. median $85,294

U.S. middle half $59.8K–$116.9K · Below the U.S. median

$25,000

Landscape Architecture

Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample

$64,143 1 yr$52,8414 yrs$64,143

U.S. median $66,387

U.S. middle half $52.1K–$78.6K · Below the U.S. median

—

Design and Applied Arts

Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample

$62,966 1 yr$42,1684 yrs$62,9665 yrs$57,495

U.S. median $51,490

U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Above the U.S. median

$26,250

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Bachelor's · Graduates: 167

$62,754 1 yr$45,2754 yrs$62,7545 yrs$59,011

U.S. median $63,560

U.S. middle half $45.9K–$83.7K · Below the U.S. median

$23,000

Architecture

Bachelor's · Graduates: 66

$62,383 1 yr$37,0784 yrs$62,3835 yrs$55,915

U.S. median $66,914

U.S. middle half $54.2K–$78.6K · Below the U.S. median

$20,815

Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other

Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample

$60,375 1 yr$39,6574 yrs$60,375

U.S. median $65,543

U.S. middle half $46K–$83.8K · Below the U.S. median

$21,694

Public Health

Bachelor's · Graduates: 87

$59,163 1 yr$36,9574 yrs$59,163

U.S. median $58,808

U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median

$23,250

Political Science and Government

Bachelor's · Graduates: 98

$57,514 1 yr$34,7454 yrs$57,5145 yrs$58,226

U.S. median $63,293

U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Below the U.S. median

$20,500

Sociology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 35

$56,266 1 yr$34,9224 yrs$56,2665 yrs$42,327

U.S. median $52,657

U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median

$24,041

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample

$56,234 4 yrs$56,2345 yrs$50,104

U.S. median $55,000

U.S. middle half $38.4K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median

—

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample

$55,937 1 yr$29,5294 yrs$55,937

U.S. median $50,532

U.S. middle half $33.7K–$70.5K · Above the U.S. median

$25,100

Communication and Media Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 226

$55,653 1 yr$39,3114 yrs$55,6535 yrs$54,361

U.S. median $56,359

U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Below the U.S. median

$22,500

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 70

$55,633 1 yr$27,4474 yrs$55,6335 yrs$62,851

U.S. median $54,945

U.S. middle half $39.1K–$70.7K · Above the U.S. median

$20,000

Animal Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 42

$53,918 1 yr$27,1444 yrs$53,9185 yrs$65,391

U.S. median $49,634

U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.9K · Above the U.S. median

$20,800

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 55

$52,815 4 yrs$52,8155 yrs$59,562

U.S. median $58,928

U.S. middle half $45K–$73K · Below the U.S. median

$26,000

Journalism

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$52,785 1 yr$36,9264 yrs$52,7855 yrs$47,621

U.S. median $56,278

U.S. middle half $40.6K–$73.9K · Below the U.S. median

$25,000

Hospitality Administration/Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 41

$52,477 1 yr$27,8094 yrs$52,4775 yrs$55,454

U.S. median $56,726

U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Below the U.S. median

$21,125

Biology, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 112

$52,163 1 yr$31,3604 yrs$52,1635 yrs$63,199

U.S. median $57,214

U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Below the U.S. median

$22,250

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Bachelor's · Graduates: 244

$51,379 1 yr$35,2824 yrs$51,3795 yrs$52,644

U.S. median $51,389

U.S. middle half $40.5K–$63.1K · Below the U.S. median

$22,804

Forestry

Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample

$51,331 1 yr$32,5734 yrs$51,3315 yrs$54,734

U.S. median $58,784

U.S. middle half $44.9K–$73.1K · Below the U.S. median

—

Social Work

Bachelor's · Graduates: 93

$51,313 1 yr$36,3124 yrs$51,3135 yrs$44,253

U.S. median $51,790

U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Below the U.S. median

$22,500

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Bachelor's · Graduates: 62

$50,204 1 yr$36,1174 yrs$50,2045 yrs$54,801

U.S. median $55,012

U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Below the U.S. median

$20,606

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 30

$49,167 1 yr$27,3234 yrs$49,1675 yrs$45,547

U.S. median $48,240

U.S. middle half $31.6K–$64.9K · Above the U.S. median

$27,000

International/Globalization Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 41

$47,698 1 yr$26,1044 yrs$47,6985 yrs$52,705

U.S. median $59,972

U.S. middle half $40.8K–$82.9K · Below the U.S. median

$24,550

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 49

$47,296 1 yr$31,4644 yrs$47,2965 yrs$42,992

U.S. median $48,460

U.S. middle half $34.7K–$63K · Below the U.S. median

$27,000

Agricultural Production Operations

Bachelor's · Graduates: 58

$46,843 1 yr$35,1674 yrs$46,8435 yrs$51,426

U.S. median $53,588

U.S. middle half $38K–$74.4K · Below the U.S. median

$19,500

Psychology, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 229

$46,570 1 yr$28,5514 yrs$46,5705 yrs$47,701

U.S. median $50,706

U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median

$23,500

History

Bachelor's · Graduates: 63

$46,111 1 yr$28,4324 yrs$46,1115 yrs$55,642

U.S. median $50,680

U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median

$18,750

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 36

$45,148 1 yr$27,4494 yrs$45,148

U.S. median $49,984

U.S. middle half $32.9K–$69.9K · Below the U.S. median

$26,000

English Language and Literature, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 63

$44,384 1 yr$21,4044 yrs$44,3845 yrs$42,565

U.S. median $48,590

U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median

$20,194

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

Bachelor's · Graduates: 133

$44,352 1 yr$41,3124 yrs$44,3525 yrs$43,081

U.S. median $47,382

U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Below the U.S. median

$22,500

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample

$44,333 1 yr$28,2154 yrs$44,3335 yrs$42,148

U.S. median $50,497

U.S. middle half $33.7K–$70.1K · Below the U.S. median

$22,750

Agricultural Public Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 41

$42,612 1 yr$34,4954 yrs$42,6125 yrs$44,268

U.S. median $54,152

U.S. middle half $40.4K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median

$22,875

Fine and Studio Arts

Bachelor's · Graduates: 41

$41,406 4 yrs$41,4065 yrs$39,370

U.S. median $41,367

U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median

$23,250

Visual and Performing Arts, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample

$40,538 1 yr$26,3434 yrs$40,538

U.S. median $41,688

U.S. middle half $25.8K–$59.9K · Below the U.S. median

$20,250

Music

Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample

$39,746 1 yr$17,0404 yrs$39,7465 yrs$36,411

U.S. median $42,892

U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Below the U.S. median

$22,000

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample

$38,822 —

U.S. median $48,471

U.S. middle half $32.2K–$67.3K · Below the U.S. median

—

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample

$38,475 1 yr$20,9374 yrs$38,4755 yrs$35,087

U.S. median $39,775

U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Below the U.S. median

$25,500

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample

$36,942 1 yr$33,7004 yrs$36,942

U.S. median $53,072

U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median

$23,500

Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.

The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.

The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.

Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.

What students study

The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.

Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field

A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).

Who attends

A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.

Race and ethnicity

  • White 76.2%
  • Black or African American 6.3%
  • Hispanic or Latino 6.8%
  • Asian 3.7%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native 0.2%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.1%
  • Two or more races 4.5%
  • U.S. nonresident 1.3%
  • Race and ethnicity unknown 1%

Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).

Gender

  • Men 41.6%
  • Women 58.4%

Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).

Students aged 25 or older

6%

of undergraduates

Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).

Students and campus

Undergraduate enrollment
24,763
Part-time students
6%
Receive Pell Grants
23%
Receive federal loans
34%
Students per faculty member
18 : 1
Setting
City

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Frequently asked questions

How much is tuition at University of Kentucky?

For the 2024-25 academic year, University of Kentucky reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $13,502 for in-state students and $34,140 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.

What is the cost of attendance and net price at University of Kentucky?

The average cost of attendance at University of Kentucky is $34,391 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $18,851 a year. That is higher than 85% of public 4-year colleges.

How much financial aid do students at University of Kentucky get?

23% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 34% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $12,182 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $26,781 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).

What is the acceptance rate at University of Kentucky?

University of Kentucky admitted about 93% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.

What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of Kentucky?

Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1070–1290 and an ACT composite of 21–28 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.

What are the graduation rate and retention rate at University of Kentucky?

71% of first-time, full-time students at University of Kentucky finish within 150% of normal time. 87% of full-time first-years return the next fall.

How much do University of Kentucky graduates earn after graduation?

The median graduate earns $65,922 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $45,496.

Is University of Kentucky worth it?

There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For University of Kentucky, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.5 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $22,500, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 71% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.

Sources and data periods

All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:

  • Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
  • Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
  • Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
  • Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
  • Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts

Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things