What SAT score do you need for Kentucky? (Middle 50%: 1058–1270)
First-year students at Kentucky who sent an SAT scored 1058–1270, with a median of 1165 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Kentucky admits 93% of applicants.
Where your score lands at Kentucky
First-year students who sent an SAT: 1058–1270, median 1165
Middle 50% of admitted students Median
Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Kentucky is for you and whether to send your score.
Kentucky by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Middle 50% SAT
- 1058–1270
- Median SAT
- 1165
- About on the ACT
- 20–27
- Sent an SAT
- 9%
Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Kentucky admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 68%, from 18,725 in 2015 to 31,517 in 2024, and Kentucky's admit rate went from 89% to 93%.
- 89%
- 93%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31,517 | 29,293 | 93% |
| 2023 | 28,233 | 26,083 | 92% |
| 2022 | 22,109 | 20,979 | 95% |
| 2021 | 21,695 | 20,396 | 94% |
| 2020 | 19,648 | 18,932 | 96% |
| 2019 | 18,759 | 17,981 | 96% |
| 2018 | 19,324 | 18,258 | 94% |
| 2017 | 18,925 | 18,125 | 96% |
| 2016 | 20,480 | 18,593 | 91% |
| 2015 | 18,725 | 16,685 | 89% |
In fall 2024, 6,513 of the 29,293 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
What each SAT score means at Kentucky
Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.
- Under 1010Far reachHold
- 1010–1050ReachHold
- 1060–1160TargetHold
- 1170–1260TargetSend
- 1270 and upLikelySend
Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.
Kentucky SAT sections, ACT and class rank
Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.
| Test | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 510 | 580 | 630 |
| SAT Reading and Writing | 540 | 600 | 650 |
| SAT total | 1058 | 1165 | 1270 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 24 | 28 |
Of enrolled first-year students, 9% sent an SAT and 48% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.
- Top 10% of their class
- 28%
- of new students who reported a rank
Kentucky cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $18,851
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 71%
- Median earnings
- $59,025
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 26,691
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Kentucky
Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.
- University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · 93% admitted1045–1264, median 1160
- Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS · 94% admitted1050–1260, median 1160
- Oregon Institute of TechnologyKlamath Falls, OR · 95% admitted1030–1260, median 1160
- VCURichmond, VA · 93% admitted1010–1260, median 1140
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · 90% admitted1010–1280, median 1175
- Utah State UniversityLogan, UT · 92% admitted1090–1310, median 1190
More colleges in Kentucky
Sources
- Kentucky Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Kentucky website
University of Kentucky
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
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