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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 accreditation of Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation concerns the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of a particular degree program.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal financial-aid eligibility and may matter when students seek to transfer credits, but another college decides which credits it will accept. Students entering a regulated profession - particularly nursing, teacher education, or social work - should separately confirm their specific program's current approval or accreditation and the licensing rules in the state where they intend to work.

What are the admission requirements at Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State does not have an open-admission policy. First-year degree-seeking applicants generally need an application, a high school transcript or accepted equivalency credential, and a record of their academic preparation.

Secondary-school GPA, the school record, and completion of college-preparatory coursework are part of the admissions review. SAT or ACT scores may be considered but are not generally required; recommendations are not a standard requirement. Applicants whose education was completed outside the United States may have additional transcript and English-proficiency requirements, including TOEFL where applicable. Requirements for graduate study and selective undergraduate programs can differ.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, Kentucky State admitted 1,396 of 1,453 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 96%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an assurance that a future application - or admission to a particular major - will be approved.

What are the application fees and waivers at Kentucky State University?

Applicants should review the fee displayed in Kentucky State's current application process before submitting, because the charge and any waiver procedure may depend on applicant type or application method. An application fee is separate from tuition, orientation charges, and any enrollment deposit.

Students who may qualify for a need-based waiver should ask admissions how to request one before paying. They should also confirm whether a waiver applies to their specific application, particularly if they are applying as a transfer, graduate, or international student.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State students may have access to Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through cooperating host institutions rather than units operated directly on the Kentucky State campus. Participation can therefore involve travel and course scheduling across institutions.

Interested students should confirm the current host arrangement, cross-enrollment process, and whether ROTC courses count toward their Kentucky State degree plan. ROTC scholarships have separate eligibility and selection rules, and accepting one may carry a military service obligation; joining an introductory course should not be confused with accepting a scholarship or commissioning commitment.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State generally accepts transfer applicants and evaluates coursework from other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is available for fall, spring, and summer terms, subject to the university's current application calendar.

Applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from every college attended. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of individual courses toward a major are separate decisions: a course may transfer as elective credit without replacing a required class. Kentucky State also recognizes some examination and other evaluated credit, including CLEP, DSST, and American Council on Education recommendations, under applicable policies.

Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request an official evaluation that shows how credits apply to general education, the intended major, and the credits that must be completed at Kentucky State. Students pursuing a selective program should check its additional entry and course-sequencing rules.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Kentucky State University?

Students considering study abroad should establish how an overseas course would fit their Kentucky State degree before applying to a program. International study may involve a partner or third-party provider rather than a semester operated directly by the university.

Academic approval matters: students should obtain written guidance on course equivalencies, degree requirements, and how grades or credits will appear on their record. They should also discuss program costs and financial-aid eligibility with the appropriate university offices before making a deposit, since aid does not automatically cover every overseas program or expense.

Kentucky State University Admissions Factors

ACT range
14–17
136
Acceptance rate
96%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
96%
Kentucky
80%
US
78%

27% of admitted students enrolled (377 of 1,396)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 6-11
ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Kentucky State University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 1,453
Admission
Total: 1,396
Enrolled
Total: 377
Women
Men

How to Apply to Kentucky State University

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Kentucky State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 160
Out-of-state: 209

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 377
Transfer: 128

Kentucky State University Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

21%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Kentucky State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

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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