University of Kentucky Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements (2025)

University of Kentucky is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Kentucky is 100%. This means that all applicants are admitted.

How Competitive are University of Kentucky Admissions?

Not Competitive: Applicants with satisfactory academics can easily secure admission.
A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

University of Kentucky Admission Competitiveness

However, a 100% acceptance rate or open admission policy does not guarantee admission. Every institution has minimum eligibility criteria. If you meet these conditions, then you can be certain of admission. Additionally, to secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies.

University of Kentucky Admission Requirements

University of Kentucky GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at University of Kentucky is 3.59. University of Kentucky is highly selective.

Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.29 and 3.59, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.19 GPA to secure admission.

Can I Get Into University of Kentucky Without SAT Or ACT?: University of Kentucky considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

University of Kentucky SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

University of Kentucky Average SAT Score: 1189
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Kentucky is 1189 on the 1600 SAT scale.

University of Kentucky SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1189 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1290 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Kentucky allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1070, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to University of Kentucky. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

University of Kentucky SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
SAT Math	585	530	640
SAT Reading	595	540	650
SAT Composite	1189	1070	1290

It means that if you have scored less than 1070 then you are below most of the admitted students at University of Kentucky and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1290 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200

Can I get into University of Kentucky with a 1300 SAT?

With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Kentucky are good but the admission staff at University of Kentucky tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

University of Kentucky ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at University of Kentucky is 25.

University of Kentucky ACT Competitiveness

This score makes University of Kentucky slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 25 on the ACT.

University of Kentucky ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
ACT Math	23	19	27
ACT English	25	21	29
ACT Composite	25	21	28

Can I get into University of Kentucky with a 28 ACT?

With a 28 ACT Score, your chances of admission at University of Kentucky are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at University of Kentucky. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 25.

University of Kentucky Profile

Name: University of Kentucky

City: Lexington

URL: www.uky.edu/

State: Kentucky

Type: Public

Zip: 40506-0032

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

How much does a degree from University of Kentucky Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at University of Kentucky is USD: 30635. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Kentucky is USD: 16328

How can I get a scholarship?

21.18% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 35.53 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to University of Kentucky and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At University of Kentucky, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist University of Kentucky as your choice in the form.

How much a University of Kentucky Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the University of Kentucky graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 59025. An average University of Kentucky graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Kentucky. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of University of Kentucky, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Arkansas	University of Arkansas, AR	1167	25
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO	1150	24
Fort Lewis College	Fort Lewis College, CO	1147	22
Regis University	Regis University, CO	1149	24
Western Colorado University	Western Colorado University, CO	1154	25
University of Saint Joseph	University of Saint Joseph, CT	1170	NA
Howard University	Howard University, DC	1164	23
Flagler College	Flagler College, FL	1168	26
Florida International University	Florida International University, FL	1154	24
Jacksonville University	Jacksonville University, FL	1165	23

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Kentucky. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for University of Kentucky, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Harding University	Harding University, AR	1182	24
Ouachita Baptist University	Ouachita Baptist University, AR	1180	25
Dominican University of California	Dominican University of California, CA	1192	24
University of Colorado Colorado Springs	University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO	1180	25
Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO	1199	26

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Kentucky. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Alabama in Huntsville	University of Alabama in Huntsville, AL	1259	28
University of Mobile	University of Mobile, AL	1220	24
Samford University	Samford University, AL	1227	26
University of Arizona	University of Arizona, AZ	1229	25
Hendrix College	Hendrix College, AR	1246	27

Degree Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by University of Kentucky.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.