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Kentucky State University

Frankfort, KY·Public·www.kysu.edu/

Campus Identity

HBCULand GrantNCAA D1Graduate Programs

Kentucky State University is a small public university in Frankfort, KY. Approximately 1,309 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Kentucky State University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 59/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Kentucky State University is a small public university in Frankfort, KY. Approximately 1,309 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Kentucky State University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 59/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

96%
Acceptance Rate
1,453 applications
15
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 14–17
$7,700
In-State Tuition
+$1,490 fees
$11,550
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,490 fees
$8,686
Room & Board
1,309
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
27%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.
Selectivity96% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Ski Access

65 miles

Perfect North Slopes

Weather

Warm Climate

50°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

65 mi away
100 skiable acres12 lifts
93 mi away
65 skiable acres8 lifts
161 mi away
144 skiable acres12 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Frankfort, KY

34°Jan38°Feb46°Mar57°Apr66°May74°Jun77°Jul76°Aug69°Sep58°Oct46°Nov38°Dec

Station: FRANKFORT CAPITAL CITY Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

59/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety517060
51/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
70/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
60/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$7,700$11,550
Fees
$1,490$1,490
Room & Board
$8,686$8,686
Total
$17,876$21,726
In-StateOut-of-State

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

45 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
20 grads/yr
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
18 grads/yr$42,743
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesBachelor's
17 grads/yr
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's
16 grads/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate's
13 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Associate's9 grads$88,912
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's11 grads$46,767
Psychology, General
Bachelor's18 grads$42,743
Business/Commerce, General
Bachelor's$42,392
Journalism
Bachelor's11 grads$42,363
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Bachelor's7 grads$34,522
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's20 grads
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor's17 grads
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's16 grads
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Associate's13 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kentucky State University located?

Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY. The main campus address is 400 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Kentucky State University?

Kentucky State University has an acceptance rate of 96%, making it accessible. Out of 1,453 applicants, 1,396 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,309 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Kentucky State University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Kentucky State University scored between 14 and 17 on the ACT, with a median of 15. About 21% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Kentucky State University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Kentucky State University charges $7,700/year for in-state students and $11,550/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($8,686/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $13,040/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Kentucky State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Kentucky State University have college sports?

Yes — Kentucky State University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Kentucky State University an HBCU?

Yes, Kentucky State University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). HBCUs were established primarily to serve Black Americans and have a rich history of academic excellence, cultural significance, and community impact. Kentucky State University remains an important institution for higher education and Black culture.

Is Kentucky State University the right fit for me?

Whether Kentucky State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (96% admit rate), cost ($11,550/year out-of-state), campus culture in Frankfort, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Kentucky State University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Kentucky State University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Frankfort, KY
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
HBCU
Yes
Land Grant
Yes
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.
School Year Weather
Warm · 50°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
59/100
Nearest Airport
Lexington, KY (LEX) · 18 mialso LOU (44 mi), SDF (48 mi)

Location

Frankfort, KY

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.