University of Kentucky

In 2022, tuition for full-time University of Kentucky students was $11,849 a year for in-state students and $32,043 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't always give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at University of Kentucky is $32,043 per year.

University of Kentucky meets 56.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of Kentucky full-time are awarded $16,964 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $33,788 per student, not including those with no debt.

Does University of Kentucky Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

University of Kentucky is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,849 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered KY-residents, out-of-state tuition is $32,043 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a school where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save students a lot of money on the overall cost of college. Don't forget to check your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. 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 $32,043 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial 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.

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University of Kentucky Room, Board, Fees, and More

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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.

House and Food 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, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan 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 real 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 books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? 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.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. 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 is sometimes pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of Kentucky campus is located in a city in KY, not far from Cincinnati and Louisville.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at University of Kentucky

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending University of Kentucky.

Total Cost of University of Kentucky

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,849
Out-of-State Tuition	$32,043
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.

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University of Kentucky Financial Aid

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In 2023, 9,594 of the 22,735 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Kentucky meets 56.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,964 a year. Around 49.4% 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 $33,788 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,827
University of Kentucky-Specific Loans	$3,618
Private Loans	$49,180

Most Common Loans for University of Kentucky Students
Federal Loans	47.8%
Institutional Loans	0.3%
Private loans	12.7%

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 2023, University of Kentucky awarded 4,422 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $200 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 $16,964 in 2023. 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	$-1,640
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,552
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$35,518

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 make more informed decisions about 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.

University of Kentucky does not have guaranteed tuition.

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 faculty, staff, and their families , 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.

University of Kentucky's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

University of Kentucky's endowment was valued at $1.9 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, University of Kentucky spends about $12,932 a year.

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Learn More About University of Kentucky

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