Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frankfort, Kentucky
92.6% Acceptance Rate
Kentucky State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.6%Acceptance Rate
2.72Avg GPA
910Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$21,023Annual Cost
$36,382Grad Salary
56.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.6%
Avg GPA
2.72
Avg SAT
910
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
820–1010
ACT Middle 50%
14–20
Avg Net Price
$8,900
Need-Based Aid
56.5% receive Pell
Kentucky State University (KY) is a public, historically Black university (HBCU) with a focus on student-centered education. Admissions prioritize academic record and potential for community contribution. They look for students who will participate in the university's active research and service programs.
Kentucky State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Kentucky State University is inclusive by design. 92.6% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.72 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.52 – 2.71
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.27
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Kentucky State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Kentucky State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
K-State reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
K-State GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at K-State is 2.72. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 2.92–3.12.K-State GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.72 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.52 – 2.71
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.32 – 2.51
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.31
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Standard Admission at 2.5+ unweighted HS GPA; "Learning Contract Admission" (conditional, first-year contract) for 2.0-2.49 GPA instead of denial
- Whitney M. Young Jr. Honors Collegium requires a 3.4 GPA, top-15% class rank, and SAT 1180+/ACT 24+ for freshman entry; replaces core gen-ed with small interdisciplinary seminars
- Kentucky resident seniors (65+) can attend tuition-free through the Donovan Scholar program
- KSU's School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences offers more online aquaculture coursework than any other U.S. university, tied to its status as a federal 1890 land-grant HBCU
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at K-State
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Kentucky State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Kentucky State University (K-State) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at K-State. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into K-State Without SAT or ACT?
K-State considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Kentucky State University Average SAT Score: 910
Admitted students at Kentucky State University average a 910 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 910 — Accessible
A 910 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1010 SAT or 20 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Kentucky State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 820? A retake is worth it at K-State. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 455 | 400 | 510 |
| SAT Reading | 460 | 420 | 500 |
| SAT Composite | 910 | 820 | 1010 |
A score under 820 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1010+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 900
Can I get into Kentucky State University (K-State) with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in K-State's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Kentucky State University (K-State) ACT Requirements
K-State's admitted students average an ACT of 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
An average of 17 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 18 |
| ACT English | 16 | 12 | 20 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 14 | 20 |
Can I get into Kentucky State University with a 20 ACT?
At 20, you're in the top quarter of K-State's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, K-State weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for K-State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
K-State's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
If your GPA is 2.0-2.49, ask specifically about Learning Contract Admission instead of assuming you're rejected
KSU grants Standard Admission at a 2.5+ unweighted HS GPA, but students in the 2.0-2.49 range aren't turned away - they're admitted under a Learning Contract that must be completed successfully through the first year. Ask the Office of Admissions directly what that contract entails rather than self-selecting out based on a GPA you assume is too low.
Aim directly at Whitney M. Young Jr. Honors Collegium if you qualify - it restructures your whole gen-ed path
Freshman entry requires a 3.4+ GPA, top-15% class rank, and an SAT of 1180+ or ACT of 24+. It's not just an honors label: completing the Honors freshman/sophomore sequence fulfills your entire core Liberal Studies requirement in small (15-student) interdisciplinary seminars, compatible with any major, plus access to dedicated Honors scholarship funds - a fundamentally different core curriculum, not an add-on.
Stack Kentucky's KEES award before assuming you need KSU aid alone
KEES pays out annually based on your cumulative Kentucky high school GPA (2.5+ each year) plus an ACT/SAT bonus tier, and it applies on top of KSU-specific scholarships. Calculate your accumulated KEES total from your high school record before assuming KSU merit aid is your only option - many Kentucky residents underestimate how much KEES money they're already sitting on.
If you're 65 or older and a Kentucky resident, this can be a tuition-free path back to school
Through the Donovan Scholar program, Kentucky residents 65+ can apply, be admitted, and have all tuition and fees waived (subject to enrollment limits and a driver's license verification of age/residency at the Bursar's Office). This is worth knowing if you're advising an older adult considering returning to school, since it's easy to overlook a "senior education" benefit as merely discounted rather than genuinely free.
Expert Insight:
Test scores aren't required for admission at KSU, but they are still required for placement in English, math, and reading courses - students who skip the ACT/SAT entirely and assume the requirement is simply gone are then required to prove proficiency through placement testing or remedial coursework after admission anyway. The requirement doesn't disappear; it just moves to after you've enrolled.
K-State Profile
Full Name
Kentucky State University (K-State)
City
Frankfort
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
40601-2355
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a K-State Degree Worth It?
At $21,023/year against a $36,382 median graduate salary, K-State is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $51,600, and graduates see a 4.37% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from K-State Cost?
Listed tuition runs $21,023/year at K-State. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $8,900.
At K-State, 56.5% receive a Pell Grant and 55% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming K-State on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a K-State Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, K-State graduates report a median income of $36,382, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Kentucky State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Kentucky State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Kentucky State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at K-State
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About K-State Admissions
Kentucky State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $36,382/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Kentucky State University is relatively affordable, around $21,023/year.
56.5% of Kentucky State University students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Kentucky State University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Kentucky State University's acceptance rate is 92.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Kentucky State University students is 2.72, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.42 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Kentucky State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.32 or below makes admission tougher at Kentucky State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Kentucky State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 910, and within the 820–1010 range, keeps you competitive.
Kentucky State University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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