Kentucky vs. Belmont

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Belmont based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 8,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Belmont University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Belmont University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Belmont University 12:1.

Kentucky vs. Belmont Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Belmont? 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 Belmont ($21,958 vs. $38,578).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belmont University are 6.3% lower than at University of Kentucky ($15,010 vs. $16,016).
• Belmont University is 215.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $29,038 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Belmont than at University of Kentucky (about $8,400 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Belmont University (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont University students is 86% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($23,992 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. Belmont Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or Belmont? 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 Belmont and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Belmont students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Belmont University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Belmont University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Belmont - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; Belmont Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Belmont students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Belmont has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Kentucky (92.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 17.7% at Belmont.

Kentucky vs. Belmont Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and Belmont? 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).

• Belmont University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Belmont graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Belmont University graduates have a $970 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($21,780 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Belmont graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($225 vs. $235).
• More Belmont graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.