Kentucky Colleges and Universities

Complete Guide to Higher Education in Kentucky - Record Enrollment Growth, Test-Optional Admission & KEES Scholarship

36,161

UK Record Enrollment

First time over 36,000 (+7%)

85,000

KCTCS Students

+8.4%, 10-year record

+3.9%

Public University Growth

Above pre-pandemic levels

Test-Optional

Major Universities

UK, UofL, EKU, WKU

🎓 University of Kentucky (Record Enrollment)

University of Kentucky (UK)

Flagship Test-Optional Through 2028-29

Location: Lexington, KY

Enrollment (Fall 2024): 36,161 students (record, +7%)

Undergraduate: 25,774 (+7.5%)

First-Year Class: 6,571 (record high)

Acceptance Rate: 92.38% (26,083 admitted / 28,233 applied)

Rankings: #143 National Universities (U.S. News 2026), #681 QS World 2024

Graduation Rate: 71% six-year rate (top 100 public four-year institutions)

Test-Optional: Through 2028-29 academic year for freshmen and transfers with <24 credit hours

Scholarships: Available to students with or without test scores

🏫 University of Louisville (Record Freshman Class)

University of Louisville (UofL)

Largest Freshman Class Ever

Location: Louisville, KY

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 24,000+ students

Undergraduate: 17,086 students

First-Year Class (2028): 3,125 students (record, largest ever)

Retention Rate: 81.5% fall-to-fall (all-time recorded high)

STEM+H Majors: 38.72% (up from 34.39%)

Out-of-State: Nearly 30% of Class of 2028

First-Generation: 34.72% of first-year students

On-Campus Living: 63.6% of first-year students

Long-Term Growth: One of only two schools (with UK) showing increased enrollment since 2012-2013

🏢 Kentucky Regional Universities

System-Wide Growth: Kentucky public universities saw 3.9% increase in undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, rebounding above pre-pandemic levels

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)

Test-Optional

Location: Richmond, KY

Test Policy: Test-optional since 2020 (retained permanently)

Status: Contributing to Kentucky's enrollment growth

Western Kentucky University (WKU)

Test-Optional

Location: Bowling Green, KY

Test Policy: Test-optional since 2020 (retained permanently)

🏘️ KCTCS - Kentucky Community & Technical College System

KCTCS System

10-Year Record +8.4% Growth

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 85,000+ students expected (84,122 reported)

Growth: +8.4% increase (up from 78,771 fall 2023)

Status: 10-year enrollment record with substantial growth across all classifications

Number of Colleges: 16 colleges statewide

Key Demographics (Fall 2024):

Dual Credit Students: 23.5% of enrollment (+11.6% growth) - high school students taking college classes with dual credit scholarship support

Nontraditional Students: 32% of enrollment (+10.4% growth) - adults ages 25+

Online Learning: 71.5% enrolled in at least one online course

Diversity Growth:

  • Black, African American: +12.5%
  • Hispanic, Latinx: +22.2%
  • Two or more races: +13.5%
  • Overall underrepresented minorities: +15.8%

Gateway Community & Technical College:

Gateway celebrated record-breaking student enrollment as part of the historic system-wide growth

💰 Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)

KEES - Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship

Performance-Based

Type: State scholarship program rewarding high school academic achievement

Initial Eligibility (High School):

  • Earn at least 2.5 GPA in any year of high school while meeting KEES curriculum requirements
  • Attend and graduate from certified Kentucky high school or other approved high school
  • Not be a convicted felon
  • Home school and GED graduates may earn awards based on ACT scores

Bonus Awards:

Additional awards available for ACT/SAT scores and Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge Advanced International (CAI) test scores

Residency:

Kentucky resident. Eligible if legal residence remains Kentucky while attending U.S. Congressional Page School or participating in approved foreign exchange program. Eligible if parent/guardian maintains Kentucky residence while serving in U.S. Armed Forces.

Using the Award:

  • Available for undergraduate students maximum 8 academic terms
  • Must be used within 5 years of high school graduation
  • Available until degree requirements met or scholarship receipt for 8 semesters, whichever comes first

Details: Visit kheaa.com for award amounts and renewal requirements

📝 Test-Optional Admission

Kentucky Universities - Test-Optional

University of Kentucky (UK):

Test-optional through 2028-29 academic year for freshmen and transfers with fewer than 24 credit hours. Admission evaluation uses rigor of high school coursework, activities, engagement, and written essay. Scholarship opportunities available regardless of test score submission.

Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University:

Both universities adopted test-optional policies in 2020 due to COVID-19 and have retained them permanently. Students have option to apply without ACT/SAT scores.

University of Louisville:

Accepts SAT and is test-optional for admission consideration.

Historical Context:

Kentucky dropped standardized ACT testing as statewide college admission requirement in 2018. Recent change: Kentucky switched from ACT to SAT for state-funded college admission exam.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, UK achieved record enrollment of 36,161 students fall 2024 (first time over 36,000, +7% increase). Undergraduate enrollment reached 25,774 (+7.5%) with record first-year class of 6,571 students. Six-year graduation rate reached 71% (top 100 public four-year institutions). 92.38% acceptance rate, #143 National Universities.
Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) reached 85,000+ students fall 2024 - a 10-year record with 8.4% growth (up from 78,771). Dual credit students comprise 23.5% (+11.6%), nontraditional students 32% (+10.4%), online learners 71.5%. Underrepresented minority enrollment surged 15.8%. System includes 16 colleges statewide.
Yes, University of Kentucky (through 2028-29), Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, and University of Louisville are test-optional. UK evaluates applications using high school coursework rigor, activities, engagement, and written essay. Scholarships available regardless of test submission. EKU and WKU retained test-optional policies permanently after 2020 adoption.
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) rewards high school academic achievement. Earn with 2.5+ GPA meeting curriculum requirements from certified Kentucky school. Bonus awards for ACT/SAT scores and AP/IB/CAI test scores. Available maximum 8 academic terms within 5 years of high school graduation. Home school/GED graduates eligible based on ACT. Visit kheaa.com for award amounts.
UofL enrolled 3,125 first-year students fall 2024 - largest incoming class ever. Total enrollment 24,000+ (17,086 undergrad). Fall-to-fall retention reached all-time high 81.5%. STEM+H majors rose to 38.72% from 34.39%. Nearly 30% from out-of-state, 34.72% first-generation, 63.6% live on campus. One of only two Kentucky schools (with UK) showing long-term enrollment growth since 2012-2013.

Last updated on November 24, 2025