University of Kentucky achieves mobility performance at the 91.7th percentile while maintaining open admission access for students. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers above-average earnings outcomes with controlled debt levels, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across diverse academic programs.
Showing above-average outcomes relative to educational investment
With above-average performance, reflecting controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
With above-average performance, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Kentucky combines open admission access with controlled educational costs and solid earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $59,025 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 69th percentile nationally.
However, earnings fall $12,960 below expectations for similar students, placing the institution at the 9th percentile for earnings beyond expectations. Earnings span from $38,233 at the 25th percentile to $86,281 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse program pathways and career trajectories.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong business and professional program outcomes. Well-suited for in-state students prioritizing value, manageable debt, and career-focused education.
University of Kentucky's open admission policy and top-tier SAT performance create opportunities for academically motivated students from diverse backgrounds seeking economic advancement.
University of Kentucky maintains an open admission policy, accepting 92.4% of applicants. This means roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission, making University of Kentucky highly accessible to prospective students.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that University of Kentucky is significantly more accessible than typical four-year institutions. This open admission approach creates opportunities for students with diverse academic backgrounds to access higher education.
However, admission to the university does not guarantee admission to all academic programs, as some specialized fields may have additional requirements. The high acceptance rate reflects University of Kentucky's mission as a public institution to serve Kentucky residents and provide broad educational access.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Kentucky's published cost of attendance reaches $32,291 annually, including $13,212 in-state tuition, $15,242 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $33,406.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $17,218 representing $15,073 in financial aid savings. This net price falls $1,628 below the peer median of $15,590, making University of Kentucky more affordable than similar institutions.
The cost structure reflects University of Kentucky's commitment to accessible higher education, particularly for Kentucky residents who benefit from in-state tuition rates. Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $10,267 for families earning under $30,000 to $24,687 for families earning over $110,000.
This progressive pricing structure ensures that lower-income families receive the most significant aid, while higher-income families pay closer to the published price. The $14,420 difference between the lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates University of Kentucky's need-based aid targeting, with the most support directed toward students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
86 graduates
Mining and Mineral Engineering.
18 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
53 graduates
Agricultural Engineering.
24 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
43 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas A & M University-Commerce Similar quality tier (#274 ranked) | TX | 93% | $50,296 | #274 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the University Of Kentucky hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-kentucky/analysis.
Strong mobility outcomes with open admission
University of Kentucky ranks #270 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with composite performance at the 83.5th percentile placing it well above average. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public research university maintains open admissions with a 92.4% acceptance rate while achieving excellent test score performance at the 95th percentile nationally.
The institution enrolls 21.5% Pell-eligible students and 23.4% first-generation students, providing educational access alongside quality outcomes. Graduates earn $59,025 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 69th percentile nationally.
This positions University of Kentucky within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students relative to peers while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes. The combination of accessible admission, controlled costs, and above-average earnings creates favorable conditions for students seeking educational value and career advancement.
Students should view University of Kentucky as a realistic option regardless of their high school academic profile, though success depends on preparation and motivation rather than admission selectivity. For students building college lists, University of Kentucky serves as an accessible option that still delivers quality outcomes, particularly for in-state applicants.
The combination of open admission with strong academic programs creates pathways for students who might not qualify for more selective institutions but seek quality higher education opportunities.
University of Kentucky graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings rise from $47,266 six years after enrollment to $53,326 at eight years and $59,025 at ten years, representing 24.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from cohorts of more than 5,400 graduates at each measurement point, providing high confidence in the reported figures. While graduates earn above-average incomes at the 69th percentile nationally, earnings fall $12,960 below expectations compared to similar students elsewhere, ranking at the 9th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $53,700, placing University of Kentucky at the 25th percentile nationally for this critical mobility metric. The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with graduates at the 75th percentile earning $86,281 compared to $38,233 at the 25th percentile, a 2.3:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career paths.
Approximately 23.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
University of Kentucky offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Health Services/Allied Health ranks #1 nationally, producing 86 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $94,455 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #117 nationally and #2 in Kentucky, graduating 173 students with median earnings of $81,498. Business programs show particular strength, with Banking and Financial Support Services ranking #64 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, graduating 266 students with median earnings of $71,215.
Digital Marketing ranks #104 nationally with 329 graduates earning $58,361, making it one of the institution's largest programs. Business/Commerce General ranks #24 nationally and #2 in Kentucky, producing 320 graduates with median earnings of $59,354.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing enrolls 298 students annually with median earnings of $61,655, reflecting strong demand in healthcare fields.
University Of Nebraska-Lincoln Similar quality tier (#275 ranked) | NE | 77% | $56,887 | #275 | Compare |
Western Carolina University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#277 ranked) | NC | 87% | $49,458 | #277 | Compare |
University Of Southern Mississippi Similar quality tier in Southeast (#278 ranked) | MS | 99% | $44,140 | #278 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Similar quality tier (#269 ranked) | MA | 85% | $64,874 | #269 | Compare |
