Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
University of Kentucky is a public national university located in Lexington, Kentucky. University of Kentucky is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at University of Kentucky is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $54,458 10 years after enrolling, 3rd in Kentucky, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, University of Kentucky bachelor students earn 0% less than the national average. University of Kentucky is ranked 4th in Kentucky.
University of Kentucky’s median net annual cost of $18,203 and average years to graduate of 4.6 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at University of Kentucky sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Education (subject specific), Marketing, Psychology, Finance, Business and Commerce - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$18,203
Average years to graduate
4.6
Computer science
Rank: #101
Economic score: 1.6
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #146
Economic score: 1.81
Chemical Engineering
Rank: #85
Economic score: 1.85
Accounting
Rank: #198
Economic score: 2.29
Advertising & PR
Rank: #55
Economic score: 4.32
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #173
Economic score: 4.32
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #206
Economic score: 4.88
Education
Rank: #226
Economic score: 6.21
Social Work
Rank: #212
Economic score: 9.18
Biology
Rank: #599
Economic score: 27.54
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at University of Kentucky - Social Work, Business and Commerce, Library Science, Diagnostic, Intervention & Treatment , Accounting, Clinical / Counseling Psych - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
International Relations
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.42
Public Health
Rank: #22
Economic score: 0.47
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #79
Economic score: 0.55
Educ. Administration
Rank: #243
Economic score: 0.59
Education
Rank: #79
Economic score: 0.63
Health & Fitness
Rank: #72
Economic score: 0.63
Public Administration
Rank: #110
Economic score: 0.66
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #141
Economic score: 0.83
Biology
Rank: #36
Economic score: 0.99
Therapeutic professions
Rank: #135
Economic score: 1.24
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.6 years. 66% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at University of Kentucky is 15% higher than the state average, and 2% below the average for all national universities in the country.
At University of Kentucky, Pell Grant recipients represent 21% of the measured graduating class, 14% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at University of Kentucky graduates within 4.8 years.
University of Kentucky is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
University of Kentucky’s economic mobility score of 17.19 is calculated by adjusting the 1.71 economic score of lower-income students by the 21% pell grant recipients within the student body. University of Kentucky’s EMS of 17.19 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at University of Kentucky pays $18,203 a year, $13,343 less than the $31,546 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $18,203
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At University of Kentucky, 92% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $18,203 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 43% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $9,045. This is 11% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,177
Pell grants
$4,651
State grants
$2,708
Institutional grants
$10,050
University of Kentucky offers 6 online bachelor programs, one of which is held exclusively online. At the master’s level University of Kentucky offers 17 programs, 9 of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
23
Hybrid programs
13
Percentage of programs online
10%
University of Kentucky's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 94% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 21,695 applicants, of which 20,396 were admitted and 4,721 enrolled. University of Kentucky doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
95%
83%
Female
57%
59%
First time
76%
59%
In-state
62%
68%
1st generation
23%
35%
White
75%
52%
Black
7%
14%
Hispanic
6%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
9%
12%