Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
U. Kentucky admits about 9 in 10 applicants (94%). That puts it in the "Open" tier, more selective than 15% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (91% and 94%).
$50 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Kentucky applicants were admitted at 95%, applicants from other states at 93%, and international applicants at 90%.
All applicants in the same class: 94%
Of those admitted, 47% from Kentucky enrolled, against 13% from other states and 8.8% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
22% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Dec 1
No early decision plan.
Where you stand
How U. Kentucky reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both important. 45% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 9% of first-years sent an SAT and 48% an ACT. Of the 26% whose high school reported a rank, 28% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Important | ||||
| First generation | Not considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Important | ||||
| State residency | Important | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Important | ||||
| Work experience | Important | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
87% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 94% of first-year applicants
2,143 applied · 1,870 admitted · 1,016 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
At least 24 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Minimum high school GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Winter entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Not required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by February 15 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: December 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting August 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $150 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 12 months.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 1) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| Academic electives | 7 |
| Total | 23* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.58
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.014%
- 3.75–3.9931%
- 3.50–3.7421%
- 3.25–3.4914%
- 3.00–3.2411%
- below 3.010%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 14.1% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 30.6% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 21.1% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 14.1% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 10.6% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 8.4% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 1.1% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
28% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 56% in the top quarter, of the 26% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of Kentucky Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1165 on the SAT, right around the national median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
42% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1000–1199.
19% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
11% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
36% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
24% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
15% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 9% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 48% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
600 studentssubmitted ACT
3,357 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:University of Kentucky Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of Kentucky Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of Kentucky Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)