University of Kentucky - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into University of Kentucky

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

92.4%

Admission Difficulty for University of Kentucky
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Challenging
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Kentucky is 92.4%. Its admission rate is the 19th lowest in Kentucky.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Kentucky and can you get accepted?

University of Kentucky is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 26,083 out of the 28,233 who applied were admitted.

University of Kentucky typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.59. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Kentucky?

92% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Kentucky you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.59 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1190 on the SAT
Score 24 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Kentucky GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.59

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Kentucky?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Kentucky are to have around a 3.59 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.59 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Kentucky accepts 92% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Kentucky is 3.59 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #7 in Kentucky for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Kentucky is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Kentucky students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	13.46%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	32.36%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	21.39%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	14.01%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	10.19%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	7.88%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.69%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.02%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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Kentucky SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Kentucky. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 9% of students submitted SAT scores and 55% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1080-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT

SAT Scores for University of Kentucky
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	550
Math 25th Percentile	530
Composite 25th Percentile	1080

SAT Scores for University of Kentucky
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	640
Math 75th Percentile	650
Composite 75th Percentile	1290
Average SAT Score	1190

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Kentucky?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Kentucky is 1190 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1080-1290. Students who get into University of Kentucky score in the top 45 percent of all SAT test takers.. Kentucky ranks #5 in the state of Kentucky for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1190 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Kentucky regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1080 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1080, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 970, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Kentucky is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1190 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1185, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

University of Kentucky admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1290 and Above	Good	>96%
1185 to 1290	Avg +	92%-96%
1080 to 1185	Avg -	86%-92%
975 to 1080	Reach	76%-86%
Less than 975	Low	<76%

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Kentucky ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

21-28

Applicants Submitting ACT

55%

ACT Scores for University of Kentucky
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	21
Math 25th Percentile	20
Composite 25th Percentile	21

ACT Scores for University of Kentucky
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	29
Math 75th Percentile	27
Composite 75th Percentile	28
Average ACT Score	24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Kentucky?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Kentucky is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28. The school ranks #6 in Kentucky for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

55 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Kentucky.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Kentucky is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Kentucky for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 92% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 96% with a 28 ACT score.

University of Kentucky admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
28 and Above	Good	>96%
24 to 28	Avg +	92%-96%
21 to 24	Avg -	87%-92%
18 to 21	Reach	79%-87%
Less than 18	Low	<79%

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High School Class Rank

59% of University of Kentucky freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Kentucky students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	35%
Top 25% of class	59%
Top 50% of class	86%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Kentucky admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	16,352	11,628	28,233
Accepted	15,273	10,580	26,083
Acceptance Rate	93%	91%	92%
Enrolled	3,783	2,617	6,437
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	25%	25%	25%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Kentucky is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Kentucky and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Kentucky Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Kentucky
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Kentucky is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.59 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1190 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.