This article is that exercise, applied to Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. I am going to show you what official federal data—the same data the university itself reports to the United States government—allow us to see clearly, and what they still cannot tell you. I am not going to inflate anything to excite you or hide anything to protect you. I am going to give you the map exactly as it is. What you and your family do with it is another part of the journey.
Who this university is
Kentucky State University is a four-year public university, and the highest level it reports offering is the doctorate. That does not mean every program reaches that level: it means that, as an institution, it is authorized to offer and does offer programs through that level. If your child wants a specific program, you need to ask separately whether that particular program extends through the master’s or doctoral level.
It is also a highly residential university. According to its institutional profile (using data from 2019-20), at least half of its degree-seeking students lived in housing owned, controlled, or affiliated with the institution, and at least 8 out of every 10 studied full time. That tells you something important about its campus culture: many students live there rather than simply taking classes and leaving. But living on campus is not included in tuition. Room and board are charged separately, and you need to request that figure on its own before comparing this school with any other.
Geographically, it is in Frankfort, in Franklin County, in a town setting far from major cities. If your family does not live nearby, this genuinely matters: you need to think separately about where your child would live and how your child would get around, because the federal file only identifies the campus address; it does not solve your logistical needs.
There is also something in its institutional history that is worth knowing. In the 2023 federal file, Kentucky State University is designated both as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and as a Land Grant Institution—one of the institutions known as “land-grant” institutions, a federal designation tied to its historical origins. They are two distinct labels, two distinct histories coexisting at the same school. They tell you where it comes from. By themselves, they do not tell you what the classroom is like today or exactly whom it admits. If that heritage matters to you—and for many families it does, with good reason—the right way to honor it is to ask what exists today in concrete terms: which student center, which scholarship, and who answers the phone in April.
A small community, and one with few Latino students
Kentucky State University had 1,689 students enrolled in the most recent official fall count: 1,546 undergraduates and 143 graduate students. It is primarily an undergraduate school of medium size. Compared with 519 similar four-year public schools, it is among the smallest: at least 9 out of every 10 of those schools have more students than it does.
Being large or small does not, by itself, tell you whether your child will receive more or less attention. That is something to ask about by program, not something determined by the school’s total size.
Here I want to pause over a number that, as a father and as part of an immigrant family, I think it is important to tell you directly, without softening it: among Kentucky State University undergraduates, only 2 out of every 100 students were reported as Hispanic or Latino. Compared with 519 similar public schools, it is among those reporting the lowest proportion: 9 out of every 10 of those schools report a higher proportion.
I am not telling you this so you will cross the school off your list. I am telling you because it is a real data point and because, if your child enrolls here, your child will probably be one of only a few. That does not make it a bad school, nor would any single figure make it “good” on its own. What you need to do is ask, during a visit or by phone, what Latino student organization exists, whether there is a cultural center, whether anyone in the office speaks Spanish, and—if you can—speak with a Latino student who is already there before deciding. The number covers the entire school; your child’s experience in a specific program may look different.
Other features of this community: there are more women than men (58 out of every 100 are women), very few students older than 25 (7 out of every 100), and fewer than half of first-time students—35 out of every 100—were permanent residents of Kentucky. The rest came from other states or other countries, or their residency was not clearly reported. It is, therefore, a school that attracts a substantial number of people from outside the state.
How the academic year works, and what could save your child time
The calendar follows semesters: two long terms of about 15 weeks each, with the same dates for everyone.
There is something here that can be worth its weight in gold if your child already has high school credits: the university stated that it accepts credit from AP exams, as well as what the government calls “credit for life experience”—learning acquired through independent study, adult courses, work experience, a portfolio, prior licenses or certifications, or military or professional opportunities. It also reports that it enrolls high school students in college courses for credit through a formal dual-enrollment program and that it accepts credit for military training.
Now for the part I cannot soften: the university’s statement that it accepts AP does not mean it will award credit for every exam at every score. The file does not say what score is required, how many credits are awarded, or whether those credits count toward your child’s specific program. Request the equivalency evaluation in writing before enrolling. Do not calculate any savings in time or money until you have that document in hand.
What you can study here
In the latest year reported, Kentucky State University awarded 153 bachelor’s degrees across 17 families of majors. No field accounted for the majority: the largest was business and management, and even it represented only 13 out of every 100 degrees awarded that year. Compared with 514 similar schools, it falls in the quartile with the fewest families of majors represented in its degree detail.
Put plainly: its offerings are distributed across fields, with no single dominant program, and it awards few degrees in total each year—which means the count can shift substantially from one year to the next. If your child is interested in a specific program, request the last three years of data for that exact program rather than relying on a snapshot of a single year.
The ratio of students to instructional staff, both measured as full-time equivalents, is 14 to 1—a low figure compared with similar schools, ranking below the midpoint of that group. It is an institution-wide aggregate ratio; it does not tell you the actual size of a first-year class, and the file does not explain exactly how it was calculated.
The institution also reports structured academic opportunities: study abroad, a complete program that can be taken only during evenings or weekends, teacher-certification preparation, and state approval for initial teacher-certification programs. Their inclusion in the report confirms that they exist as stated options; it does not indicate capacity, cost, or whether they apply to your child’s program.
What it takes to get in
This is one of the most important pieces, so let’s take it slowly.
Kentucky State University does not have open admissions: it does review requirements before saying yes. Of nine possible considerations, it marks four as required: the high school record, the high school GPA, completion of the required college-preparatory curriculum, and the English proficiency exam for applicants to whom it applies. Beyond those, only one other item is considered if submitted: the student’s rank in the graduating class. The essay and letters of recommendation are marked as not considered. The published undergraduate application fee is $0.
If your child studied outside the United States or attended high school in Spanish, ask now whether the English proficiency exam applies and what would qualify your child for an exemption. This is the kind of thing families discover too late when they do not ask in time.
And now the figure that probably interests you most: in the most recent reported cycle, Kentucky State University received 2,001 applications and offered admission to 1,852 applicants. That is 93 out of every 100. Compared with 519 similar public schools, it is on the high side for acceptance: 7 out of every 10 of those schools, or more, accept an equal or smaller percentage. In other words, it is among the schools that do accept applicants. That does not make the process automatic: the application must be submitted complete and on time.
But there is a turn you should know about before getting excited: out of every 100 admitted students, only 19 ultimately enrolled. The other 81, although they received a yes, chose not to attend. Do not read this as a stain on the school—the federal record does not say why each person made that decision—and do not read it as a sign of what your child will be offered. What I can tell you very clearly is this: wait for the letter showing the net price, the number the year will actually cost, before deciding whether this school stays on the list.
Regarding exams: the SAT and ACT are not required. Only 10 out of every 100 enrolled students submitted SAT scores, and among them the middle half scored between 420 and 500 in reading and writing, and between 400 and 510 in mathematics. Those numbers describe the students who submitted scores, not all applicants, and they do not prove that the scores were used to admit anyone. They are neither a minimum nor a guarantee.
One more data point that almost no family asks about, but that carries weight here: among the cohort that entered in 2017 seeking bachelor’s degrees, 28 out of every 100 transferred to another school without completing a program here within the expected years. Compared with similar schools, this proportion is on the high side. A student who transfers is not counted as a graduate of this school, even if the student completes a degree elsewhere—keep that in mind, because it will be useful when we get to graduation rates.
What it costs, and what it actually ends up costing
At Kentucky State University, among 24 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid, paid the in-state or in-district rate, and had EFC records showing family income below $30,000, the average net price was $6,809. Among 17 students from the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $9,471; among 4 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $17,285. For dependent students, the band combines their parents’ income with their own.
The difference between the average for the lowest-income band (24 students) and the average for the highest-income band (4 students) is $10,476. Among first-year students who received any grant aid, the average was $9,672.
Among the 519 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this figure with the same time coverage, this school falls in the least expensive quartile for the lowest-income families after grants are subtracted. That does not mean it will be inexpensive for your family. It is a data point that matters when you build the list of schools to which you will apply.
The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at this public institution, they use the in-state or in-district rate. The overall average with grant aid, when it appears, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships; it also uses that rate. If your family lives outside the state or district, the calculation is different. Ask about it before applying.
How it is paid for: grants, Pell, and loans
91 out of every 100 degree-seeking students received some form of grant or aid that does not have to be repaid. Here, receiving aid is common, not the exception. Compared with similar schools, it is in the quartile where grant aid reaches the most students, with an average of $11,132 among those who received it.
The Pell Grant—federal aid for students with demonstrated financial need—reached 68 out of every 100 students. That is a high figure. But be careful not to read it as a promise: it describes what happened to other students in a past year, not your probability or your amount. Ask in writing which applications must be completed, what the deadlines are, and what happens to the grant if your child’s grades decline.
And here is a truth I would rather tell you directly and without embellishment: 55 out of every 100 undergraduate students received a federal student loan, averaging $6,763 per student for the year. Compared with similar schools, it is on the high side in the proportion of students who borrow. If your child borrowed a similar amount each year during the four years of the degree, the total would be around $27,052, not including interest. That number is decided before the first signature, not at the end.
That loan average covers only federal loans in the student’s name for one year: it does not include PLUS loans that parents sometimes sign for, bank debt, or credit cards, and it is not the total debt someone has upon graduation. That percentage describes other families who came through here before. The amount your child specifically would need to borrow comes from your child’s own financial aid letter. Wait for it before ruling out the school, and wait for it before committing to the school. The institution also reports offering an installment tuition payment plan, if that helps organize the family budget.
Life outside the classroom: housing, ROTC, sports, and support
Kentucky State University has institution-owned housing, with a reported capacity of 1,171 students. Not all full-time students are required to live there, but that does not rule out the possibility that a specific program may require it. It also offers meal plans, with a fixed number of meals per week under the largest plan. The existence of the option does not guarantee that a bed will be available: request the annual rate, the application deadline, and whether housing is guaranteed or there is a waiting list, all in writing.
There is an ROTC opportunity, and the only branch confirmed in writing is the Army. The Navy and Air Force are not marked in the report; that does not mean participation is impossible, only that you need to ask directly.
The university participates in intercollegiate athletics and is affiliated with the NCAA, with reported membership in football, basketball, baseball, and cross-country or track and field. If sports matter to your child, write directly to the coach for that sport and ask about roster availability, division, and whether an athletic scholarship is available, and request written confirmation.
It offers undergraduate and graduate distance education, although only 6 out of every 100 undergraduate students took all their courses at a distance; the rest took at least one class in person. The library has employed staff, physical and digital materials, and interlibrary loan. Reported services include combined academic and career counseling, employment support for current students, job placement for graduates, participation in the Yellow Ribbon program for veterans, a dedicated point of contact for military families, and a services page for people with disabilities. The fact that these services are reported confirms that they exist; it does not measure how good they are or how many people use them successfully. Ask about specific people and real experiences when you visit.
How many stay, and how many finish with a degree
We have reached the most difficult part of this article, and I am going to give it to you in full, without cutting it short.
Of the most recent cohort of full-time students who entered seeking bachelor’s degrees, only 61 out of every 100 were still enrolled or had already completed their programs one year later. Compared with 519 similar schools, it is among those with the lowest retention of their incoming cohort: 9 out of every 10 of those schools retain a higher proportion. The file does not explain what happened to the rest: it does not allow us to say that they gave up, only that they did not meet the criterion of remaining enrolled here.
And regarding graduation, here is the hardest number in this entire article, stated directly: of 236 full-time students with no prior college experience who entered bachelor’s degree programs in 2017, only 28 out of every 100 had graduated from this school six years later. Compared with 518 similar schools, it ranks at the very bottom of that table: 9 out of every 10 of those schools report a higher proportion of graduates.
But before that number feels like a verdict, look at the complete breakdown of those 236 students: 67 graduated here, 2 completed a shorter program here, 65 transferred to another institution without completing a program at Kentucky State—and remember: transferring does not mean failing; it only means they are not counted as graduates of this school even if they finish elsewhere—1 remained enrolled without finishing, and 101 fell into the federal “no longer enrolled” category, which does not explain the reason and may include people who graduated after the measured deadline.
This number covers the entire school. IPEDS does not report graduation by program, so if your child has a specific program in mind, that information needs to be requested directly from the department—which is why your child’s college list should include more than one option.
One final data point, with a longer time horizon: following a cohort that entered in 2015-16 for eight years, 45 out of every 100 had earned a degree or certificate from this school. Among those who received a Pell Grant, that figure falls to 41 out of every 100—eleven points below those who did not receive Pell. Compared with similar schools, it falls in the bottom quartile. A family’s eligibility for Pell today does not determine the outcome for its child; what you can do is ask the school what specifically exists for those students: an assigned counselor, emergency assistance, and whether the institution’s own grant is renewed every year. And ask them to answer you in writing.
What you already know, and what you are only beginning to see
You have finished reading this and now know a real part of Kentucky State University: a small, highly residential public university with roots as an HBCU and as a land-grant institution, with accessible admissions but low retention and graduation compared with similar schools, with a modest list price and a net price that can be among the lowest in its group for lower-income families, and with very few Latino students in its enrollment.
None of these numbers makes the decision for you. The figure remains the same no matter who reads it; what changes is how well you understand it and what questions you can now ask with it in hand.
Your child needs to explore whether this program, this campus, and this community make sense for your child. Your role as a family is to do the arithmetic: request the actual financial aid letter, compare the net price—not the list price—and ask in writing about what this article cannot answer: AP equivalencies, the housing rate, support for Latino students, and availability in ROTC or on the sports team that interests your child. The university’s role is to admit students, offer aid, and, over time, show whether it fulfills what it promises.
You now have a deep understanding of one of the pieces you need to decide. Combine it with what your child wants to study, what your child has built so far, and what your family can and is willing to pay. A plan comes from that combination, not from a single number.
Source note: the information in this article comes from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and from reports that Kentucky State University submits to the United States Department of Education, corresponding primarily to the 2022-23 and 2023-24 cycles. Best College Aid does not represent Kentucky State University or any government agency; this article organizes and explains public data to help families understand it.