by our College Data Analytics TeamHere are the current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at University of Kentucky, and how those costs compare to other schools over time.
In the most recent reported year, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at University of Kentucky came in at $13,502 annually. Out-of-state undergraduates were charged $34,140. That spread is what residency saves an in-state student.
Within that total, required fees were $1,393 in-state and $1,393 out-of-state; the rest is tuition itself.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,109 | $32,747 |
| Fees | $1,393 | $1,393 |
| Total | $13,502 | $34,140 |
This tuition and fees figure covers one year of academic instruction and does not include room and board.
Keep in mind that many students qualify for financial aid and scholarships that bring down the real cost they pay. The totals here are the list price.
How much will University of Kentucky cost per credit hour part time? Check the Cost Per Credit Hour page to find out.
To see where that lands, here is how University of Kentucky prices compare to peer schools. Each label reflects how the school sits versus the average of that group.
| Nationwide | In KY | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Expensive | Expensive | Expensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Average | Average | Expensive |
Measured against schools nationwide, University of Kentucky sits above the national average.
Remember that a school can look pricey on sticker price alone yet be a better deal after financial aid. Check the University of Kentucky Financial Aid page for specifics.
The table below shows how tuition at University of Kentucky has tracked across the last few reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $11,247 | $30,245 |
| Two Years Ago | $11,496 | $30,913 |
| One Year Ago | $11,849 | $32,043 |
| Most Recent Year | $12,109 | $32,747 |
Below, the chart plots how tuition at UK has trended over the reported years.
Most recently, out-of-state tuition climbed 2.2%. Carrying the same rate forward one year puts tuition + fees around $34,890 for the coming year.
Most schools raise tuition gradually each year, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.
See answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for additional information.
Averaged across those years, in-state tuition and fees increased by 2.30%, so a year from now in-state students could pay around $13,813. For out-of-state students, the average annual increase was 2.60%, which puts out-of-state cost next year near $35,028.
Holding that rate, here is how tuition and fees could track over the next five years:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $13,813 | $35,028 |
| In 2 Years | $14,131 | $35,940 |
| In 3 Years | $14,456 | $36,875 |
| In 4 Years | $14,789 | $37,835 |
| In 5 Years | $15,129 | $38,820 |
Budgeting for four years rather than one is the safer way to plan — the running four-year out-of-state total projects near $145,678, versus roughly $57,189 for in-state students.
Tuition is just the starting figure — scholarships and aid frequently cut what families actually pay.
For details on financial aid availability at University of Kentucky, visit the University of Kentucky Financial Aid page.
