University of Kentucky acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

Lexington, KY · public · 24,763 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 93.5% Fall 2025 · ↑0.6 pts
SAT, middle 50% 1058–1270 Enrolled, Fall 2025
Tests, 2026–27 Test-optional From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Kentucky's admissions site.

Chances at Kentucky
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Likely
96–100%
  • Your SAT 1500 is above the middle 50% of enrolled students (1058–1270).
  • Only 9% of enrolled students sent an SAT, so that middle 50% may run high.
  • Kentucky admits 93.5% of applicants overall.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-optional for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

Kentucky acceptance rate by year

31,222 of 33,387 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 92.9% for Fall 2024.

0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 201520172019202120232025 93.5%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 202533,38731,22293.5%Common Data Set
Fall 202431,51729,29392.9%IPEDS
Fall 202328,23326,08392.4%IPEDS
Fall 202222,10920,97994.9%IPEDS
Fall 202121,69520,39694.0%IPEDS
Fall 202019,64818,93296.4%IPEDS
Fall 201918,75917,98195.9%IPEDS
Fall 201819,32418,25894.5%IPEDS
Fall 201718,92518,12595.8%IPEDS
Fall 201620,48018,59390.8%IPEDS
Fall 201518,72516,68589.1%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

Kentucky deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with UK Application or Common App. Checked October 24, 2026 on Kentucky's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Early action Apply by Decisions —
  2. Regular decision Apply by Decisions —
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Early rounds

Early decision and early action at Kentucky

Kentucky offers early action for 2026–27. It does not publish separate early admit rates in its Common Data Set.

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at Kentucky

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

SAT, middle 50% 1058–1270
4009% sent a score1600
ACT, middle 50% 21–28
1Enrolled, Fall 202536
Average high school GPA 3.58
As reported, 100% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.014.1%
  • 3.75–3.9930.6%
  • 3.50–3.7421.1%
  • 3.25–3.4914.1%
  • 3.00–3.2410.6%
  • 2.50–2.998.4%
  • Below 2.501.1%

What counts

What Kentucky weighs

From section C7 of Kentucky's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA
  • Essays

Considered

  • Class rank
  • Test scores
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character
  • First-generation status
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Not considered

  • Alumni relation
  • Religious affiliation
  • Demonstrated interest

Cost

What Kentucky costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Kentucky's net price calculator.

Tuition, in-state$13,907
Per year
Tuition, out-of-state$35,164
Per year
Average net price$18,868
After grants, aided students
Open Kentucky's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to Kentucky's 93.5%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about Kentucky admissions

What is Kentucky's acceptance rate?

Kentucky admitted 31,222 of 33,387 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 93.5%. That is up from 92.9% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is Kentucky test-optional for 2026–27?

Yes. Kentucky is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.

When are Kentucky's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Early action: December 1, 2026; Regular decision: February 15, 2027. Check Kentucky's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

What SAT score do you need for Kentucky?

There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1058–1270 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 9% of them sent a score. A score at or above 1270 is in the top quarter of enrolled students.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

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