Lexington, KY · Public

University of Kentucky Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

University of Kentucky cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Competitive value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$34,391
Net Price$18,851
Median Earnings$59,025
Graduation Rate71.4%
Median Debt$16,750
Admission Rate92.9%
Student Count24,763
SAT Average1,215

University of Kentucky Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $18,851
Money available $0
Still needed per year $18,851
Monthly gap $1,571

Four-year projection: about $75,404 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $16,750.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$59,025Total cost$34,391Net price$18,851Median debt$16,750

Value Score Comparison

University of Kentucky61.1Dataset avg54.3KY avg52.4
Median earnings6% better than dataset average
$59,025
Total annual cost20% better than dataset average
$34,391
Average net price12% better than dataset average
$18,851
Graduation rate14.6 percentage points better than dataset average
71.4%
Median debt3% weaker than dataset average
$16,750

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

KY Average

Value Score: 52.4

Net Price: $16,468

Earnings: $46,861

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $18,851, compared with reported total cost of $34,391.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $59,025 and the graduation rate is 71.4%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $16,750, while the loan share is 33.7%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 92.9% and Pell Grant share is 22.5%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationLexington, KY
Admission Rate92.9%
In-State Tuition$13,502
Out-of-State Tuition$34,140
Total Cost$34,391
Net Price$18,851
Median Earnings$59,025
Graduation Rate71.4%
Median Debt$16,750
Pell Grant Share22.5%
Loan Share33.7%
Average Faculty Salary$11,984
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 23.6 + graduation 17.9 + net price 8.7 + total cost 5.7 + debt 5.2 = 61.1/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings23.6$59,025 · max 40 pts
Graduation17.971.4% · max 25 pts
Net Price8.7$18,851 · max 15 pts
Total Cost5.7$34,391 · max 10 pts
Debt5.2$16,750 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.