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Colleges / University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate94%
Acceptance Rate94%

University of Kentucky Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of Kentucky was $11,496 a year for in-state students and $30,913 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 30,913 per year for tuition at University of Kentucky.

University of Kentucky: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of Kentucky is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,496 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-KY residents, out-of-state tuition is $30,913 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as KY residents.

Attending a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to verify your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other KY colleges

Is University of Kentucky's Tuition Different for International Students?

University of Kentucky has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of Kentucky can expect to pay around $30,913 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at University of Kentucky:

•Athletic Awards •University of Kentucky-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


University of Kentucky Room, Board, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of Kentucky.

Room and Board Costs at University of Kentucky

Room and board at University of Kentucky costs $14,676 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at University of Kentucky?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at University of Kentucky

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At University of Kentucky, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city could be costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. University of Kentuckyis in a urban setting in KY, not far from Cincinnati and Louisville.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


The Full Cost of Attending University of Kentucky


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending University of Kentucky.

How Much Does University of Kentucky Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of Kentucky be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $11,496
Out-of-State Tuition $30,913
Room and Board $14,676
Other expenses $3,200

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


University of Kentucky Financial Aid


In 2022, 10,039 of the 21,900 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Kentucky meets 55.3% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,083 a year. Around 52% of University of Kentucky undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of Kentucky graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $35,934 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $24,216
University of Kentucky-Specific Loans $3,407
Private Loans $45,197
Most Common Loans for University of Kentucky Students
Federal Loans 50%
Private loans 14%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of Kentucky financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of Kentucky

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, University of Kentucky awarded 4,506 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $193.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school.

University of Kentucky Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of Kentucky students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of Kentucky was $15,083 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of Kentucky seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $1,769
Net In-state, Off-campus $-1,024
Out-of-State, On-Campus $36,269

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of Kentucky really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of Kentucky's net cost calculator on their website.

University of Kentucky Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

University of Kentucky Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About University of Kentucky


To learn more about University of Kentucky, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$27,796

In State

$46,794

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$11,247
$30,245
Fees
$1,363
$1,363
Housing
$14,186
$14,186
Books
$1,000
$1,000

University of Kentucky Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

22%

Average Financial Aid Package

$14,328

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

30,390

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

94%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$12,610

Out-of-State

$31,608

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Feb 15
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