More selective than 24% of Kentucky colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
9% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 55% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Kentucky over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have University of Kentucky's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at University of Kentucky or have its file? Send it to us.
University of Kentucky SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Kentucky is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 540 | 650 |
| SAT math | 530 | 640 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 28 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1070 | 1290 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Kentucky admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 93% | 540–650 | 530–640 | 21–28 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 92% | 550–640 | 530–650 | 21–28 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Kentucky compared with other Kentucky colleges?
University of Kentucky has the 20th-lowest acceptance rate of 26 Kentucky colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Bellarmine University | 86% | 64% | $21,499 |
| 17 | Transylvania University | 87% | 71% | $21,913 |
| 18 | Thomas More University | 90% | 41% | $21,835 |
| 19 | Georgetown College | 91% | 49% | $14,095 |
| 20 | University of Kentucky | 93% | 71% | $18,851 |
| 21 | Western Kentucky University | 94% | 56% | $10,990 |
| 22 | Midway University | 95% | 41% | $29,579 |
| 23 | Kentucky State University | 96% | 32% | $8,040 |
| 24 | University of the Cumberlands | 99% | 50% | $14,107 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Kentucky colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Kentucky
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Kentucky admissions questions
What is the University of Kentucky acceptance rate?
University of Kentucky accepts 93% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 26,083 of 28,233 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Kentucky require the SAT or ACT?
University of Kentucky considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 9% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 55% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Kentucky?
The middle 50% of University of Kentucky enrolled first-year students scored 1070–1290 on the SAT and 21–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Kentucky?
25% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (6,437 of 26,083).
Is University of Kentucky getting harder to get into?
University of Kentucky accepted 93% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 92% for Fall 2023.
Is University of Kentucky the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing University of Kentucky with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Kentucky overview