Auburn vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Auburn vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Kentucky? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kentucky than Auburn ($21,958 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kentucky are 3.7% lower than at Auburn University ($16,016 vs. $16,626).
• University of Kentucky is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $612 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Auburn than at University of Kentucky (about $782 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Auburn University (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 18.6% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($12,898 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Kentucky? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Kentucky and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 150 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Auburn vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Kentucky? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($222 vs. $235).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.