University of Kentucky Acceptance Rate
Lexington, Kentucky · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 28,233
- Admitted
- 26,083
- Yield
- 24.7%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Kentucky's acceptance rate has risen from 72.2% in 2014–15 to 92.4% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 20,677 to 28,233 (+37%) over that period.
Its 92.4% rate makes University of Kentucky more selective than about 15% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 24 tracked Kentucky schools, it is more selective than about 33%.
University of Kentucky has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 24.7% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 20,677 | 14,930 | 72.2% | 5,185 |
| 2015–16 | 18,725 | 16,685 | 89.1% | 5,211 |
| 2016–17 | 20,480 | 18,593 | 90.8% | 5,117 |
| 2017–18 | 18,925 | 18,125 | 95.8% | 4,855 |
| 2018–19 | 19,324 | 18,258 | 94.5% | 5,077 |
| 2019–20 | 18,759 | 17,981 | 95.9% | 5,348 |
| 2020–21 | 19,648 | 18,932 | 96.4% | 4,891 |
| 2021–22 | 21,695 | 20,396 | 94% | 4,721 |
| 2022–23 | 22,109 | 20,979 | 94.9% | 6,061 |
| 2023–24 | 28,233 | 26,083 | 92.4% | 6,437 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 16,352 | 15,273 | 93.4% |
| Men | 11,628 | 10,580 | 91% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 550–640 | 9% |
| SAT Math | 530–650 | |
| ACT Composite | 21–28 | 55% |
How University of Kentucky compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Kentucky's acceptance rate?
University of Kentucky's acceptance rate is 92.4% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (26,083 admitted of 28,233 applicants).
Is University of Kentucky test optional?
University of Kentucky is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Kentucky?
University of Kentucky received 28,233 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 26,083.
What SAT score do you need for University of Kentucky?
Admitted students at University of Kentucky typically scored 550–640 on SAT Reading/Writing and 530–650 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Kentucky getting harder to get into?
University of Kentucky has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 72.2% in 2014–15 to 92.4% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.uky.edu/.