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Kentucky State University

#505 in US ranking Frankfort, KY
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Kentucky State University award
Kentucky State University award

Cost

Cost / year
$24,233
Tuition & fees
$9,447
Avg. aid
$9,825
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
96%
ACT range
14–17

Outcomes

Graduation rate
32%
Median salary
$37,655
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State University is a public historically Black university in Frankfort, Kentucky. It was founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons to prepare Black teachers at a time when educational opportunities were restricted by segregation.

The institution expanded beyond teacher preparation and became one of the universities associated with the federal land-grant program established in 1890. Its successive names reflected changes in its curriculum and legal status; it adopted the name Kentucky State University in 1972. Teacher education remains part of a broader academic portfolio that now includes agriculture, business, nursing, the sciences, and the arts.

What are the faculties and departments at Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State offers undergraduate and graduate study across the arts and sciences, agriculture, business, education, health, and public-service fields. Prospective students can consider programs such as biology, computer and information sciences, criminal justice, social work, business, and nursing.

Its land-grant role is especially relevant to students interested in agriculture and related research and outreach. Program names, available credentials, and admission rules can change independently of university-wide policies. Applicants should check the current academic catalog for their intended major, including whether it has a separate application, clinical placement, or professional licensure requirements.

What is the location of Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State University is in Frankfort, Kentucky's state capital. Its location puts students near state government offices and a smaller city setting rather than a large metropolitan campus.

That setting may be useful for students seeking internships or service opportunities connected to public administration, though proximity does not itself secure a placement. Students planning to commute should account for transportation and parking; first-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Blue Grass Airport, near Lexington, is a regional air-travel option.

What is the mission and vision of Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State's stated mission combines access to higher education with teaching, research, and service as a public historically Black land-grant university. Its educational scope extends beyond campus through community-facing work associated with the land-grant mission.

That mission helps explain the university's continuing emphasis on both professional preparation and fields such as agriculture and education. A mission statement describes institutional aims, however, not a guaranteed experience or outcome for an individual student.

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Kentucky State University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Kentucky State University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

Town: Distant

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1886

Kentucky State University Accreditation

Kentucky State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Kentucky State University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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