Kentucky State University (K-State)
Public four-year university in Frankfort, KY that costs an average of $17,637 a year after financial aid, admits 96% of applicants and graduates 30% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$17,637
Acceptance rate
96%
Graduation rate
30%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$42,650
HBCUPublicTown (distant)1,309 undergraduates
Cost of K-State
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $24,233 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $9,807 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $14,147 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $9,186 |
| Books and supplies | $1,560 |
| Average net price after aid | $17,637 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $16,754 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $16,380 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $17,248 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $22,603 |
| $110,001+ | $23,093 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with K-State's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 96% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 870 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 14–17 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 30% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 64% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $40,032 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $42,650 |
| Rank in Kentucky (earnings) | 27th of 29 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $27,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $307 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 50% |
| Students with federal loans | 50% |
Majors and programs at K-State
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (26)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism | 27 | $31,341 | — |
| Business/Commerce | — | $31,194 | $22,989 |
| Agricultural Engineering | — | — | — |
| Agriculture | 17 | — | — |
| Biology | 25 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 68 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 2 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 25 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 31 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 6 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 8 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 42 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 6 | — | — |
| Music | 7 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 7 | — | — |
| Psychology | 60 | — | $25,000 |
| Public Administration | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 36 | — | $30,500 |
| Security Science and Technology | — | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 8 | — | — |
| Social Work | 26 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 22 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 18 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 8 | — | — |
Certificate programs (21)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management | 4 | — | — |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 7 | — | — |
| Agriculture | — | — | — |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | — | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | — | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | — | — | — |
| Education, Other | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 4 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | — | — | — |
| Food Science and Technology | 1 | — | — |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 2 | — | — |
| Housing and Human Environments | — | — | — |
| Journalism | 1 | — | — |
| Music | — | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 3 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 3 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 20 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 16 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (9)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Production Operations | 8 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16 | — | — |
| Business/Commerce | — | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 1 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 11 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 14 | — | — |
| Public Administration | 13 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 10 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Production Operations | — | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Kentucky
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead State University | Morehead | $9,912 | 77% | $47,134 |
| Murray State University | Murray | $7,350 | 86% | $48,482 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | $8,976 | 68% | $55,024 |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | $11,789 | 94% | $48,408 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | $11,925 | 78% | $50,885 |
| University of Louisville | Louisville | $14,960 | 79% | $60,032 |
| University of Kentucky | Lexington | $18,868 | 93% | $63,924 |
About K-State
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Frankfort, KY |
| Setting | Town (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 1,309 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 10 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | kysu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is K-State's acceptance rate?
Kentucky State University admits 96% of applicants. Admitted students average 870 on the SAT.
How much does K-State cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $24,233 a year (tuition and fees: $9,807 in-state, $14,147 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $17,637 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $16,754.
How much do K-State graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $42,650 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 27th of 29 similar colleges in Kentucky. The best-paid bachelor's program is journalism ($31,341 a year after graduation).
What is K-State's graduation rate?
30% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 64% of first-year students return for a second year.