Kentucky State University

Public · Moderately Selective · KY

Photo: Matthew Peek (CC BY-SA 3.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationKY · South

SettingRural

Undergrads1,309

Student:faculty10:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate13.8%

6-yr grad rate31.9%

Drop-out rate36.3%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$9k

Out-of-state tuition$14k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity92.2%

Gender diversity58.2%

International1.4%

IdentityHBCU

Overview

Kentucky State University, in Frankfort, is a historically Black land-grant university located in Kentucky's state capital. It combines a close-knit HBCU community with a genuine research mission tied to its land-grant status.

Academics

Aquaculture is the university's most distinctive research strength — its program is among the most prominent in the country and gives students access to research most schools cannot offer. Agriculture more broadly, nursing, and liberal studies round out the university's other popular programs.

Campus & student life

The campus sits on a hill overlooking Frankfort, giving it a self-contained feel within a small state-capital city. Campus culture centers on HBCU traditions and a close community, with the state capital's institutions nearby for internships and civic engagement.

Worth knowing

The aquaculture program's national standing is a real, specific draw and is worth knowing about for students interested in fisheries, aquaculture, or related agricultural sciences, since it is a genuine strength rather than a generic agriculture offering.

kysu.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate96.1%

Enrolled mid-50%ACT 14–17

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying