
Kentucky State University is a public historically black institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky. Most historically black colleges and universities (also known as HBCUs) were founded after the civil war to provide newly freed African Americans with educational opportunities. As a land grant institution this school is one of the larger public institutions in the state of Kentucky. Approximately two thousand students are enrolled per year at Kentucky State University.
A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:
- Liberal Arts And Sciences
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Psychology
- Security And Protective Services
- Education
Students applying for admission are required to submit an application, transcripts, records, test scores and any requested application essays, which will then be reviewed by the admissions committee. Students may submit either the SAT or ACT exam scores to be considered for admissions at KY State. A score between 1120 to 1390 on the SAT, or 16 to 20 for the ACT is common among accepted students. An estimated 30% of all students that applied were accepted at Kentucky State University, with 19% of those accepted choosing to enroll. More information from the admissions office can be found at kysu.edu.
Tuition & fees at this school are different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs close to $6,400 per year and out-of-state tuition costing $14,000 for the year. Housing may be available for students who wish to live on-campus for a cost of $3,600 each year. KY State may help with costs by offering financial aid for students that are eligible as grants and loans.
The KY State "Thorobreds" have a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through participation in the NCAA. Athletic programs available include:
- Baseball (NCAA Division II)
- Basketball (NCAA Division II)
- Track & Field (NCAA Division II)
- Football (NCAA Division II)
Students who would like to learn more about Kentucky State University may take a look at their website at http://www.kysu.edu.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may provide a better idea of the students KY State accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Kentucky State University has a total student population of about 1,600, where graduate students make up roughly 13% of the student body.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $8,200. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $30 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- In-State: $7,400-$8,800
- Out-of-State: $18,000-$21,200
- Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $310-$370 per unit
- Out-of-State: $740-$880 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The financial aid table below details the types of financial aid, along with the percent of students receiving aid, and on average the amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 98% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 92% | $9,410 |
Receiving Student Loans | 76% | $6,975 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Kentucky State University may provide services including:- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Work study style employment
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Day care for children
Graduation Rates
The overall graduation rate of Kentucky State University is approximately 18%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 6% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 6% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 3% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Music Program
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Kentucky State University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division II (with football) classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conf)
- Basketball (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conf)
- Track and Field (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conf)
- Football (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conf)
- Golf
- Softball
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Kentucky State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Agriculture (B)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (B)
- Business Administration (M)
Communications and Journalism
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (B, M)
- Information Technology (B)
Education
Engineering Technology
- Electrical and Communications Engineering Technology
English Language and Literature
- English (B)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- African Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family Studies (B)
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A, B)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management (M)
- Environmental Studies (M)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B)
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Public Administration (B, M)
- Social Work (B)
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (B)
Social Sciences
- Political Science (B)
- Social Science (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B)
- Music (B)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Kentucky State University.
- Indiana University - Southeast in New Albany, IN (53 miles away)
- Indiana University - East in Richmond, IN (115 miles away)
- Central State University in Wilberforce, OH (117 miles away)
- Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN (144 miles away)
- The University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA (152 miles away)
See a list of all the colleges and universities by clicking on one of the links below:
- Compare schools and see a list of all colleges in Kentucky
- See all public colleges in Kentucky