Understanding Kentucky State University Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

Choosing a college is a significant investment, and understanding the costs associated with higher education is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Kentucky State University's (KSU) tuition, fees, and financial aid options, empowering prospective students and their families to make informed decisions.

Tuition and Fees: The Sticker Price

Kentucky State University's tuition for the academic year is $9,807 for in-state students and $14,148 for out-of-state students. These figures represent the "sticker price," encompassing both tuition and mandatory fees. Compared to the national average cost of in-state tuition ($12,436), KSU offers a more affordable option for Kentucky residents. Similarly, for out-of-state students, KSU's tuition is lower than the national average ($29,815).

Mandatory fees contribute to various essential services and resources, including library access, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers. These fees can differ significantly between institutions, so it's important to consider them when comparing costs.

Beyond the Sticker Price: Total Cost of Attendance

While the sticker price provides a baseline understanding of tuition and fees, it's essential to consider the total cost of attendance (COA). The total cost includes the sticker price, plus expenses such as food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. At Kentucky State University, the total cost of attendance is estimated at $24,017 for in-state students and $28,288 for out-of-state students.

Direct and Indirect Costs

The cost of attendance encompasses both direct and indirect costs. Direct charges are those for which the university directly bills the student, such as tuition, mandatory fees, on-campus housing, and on-campus meal plans. Indirect expenses, on the other hand, include the average cost of books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. For students living off-campus, housing and food expenses are also considered indirect costs.

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It's important to note that COA calculations are typically based on costs for a full-time student for a full academic year, and the amounts provided are averages that may not reflect the exact charges or expenses incurred by individual students. Some courses may also require additional fees for labs or materials.

Financial Aid at Kentucky State University

Kentucky State University is committed to making education accessible and affordable for students through various financial aid options. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs, and the specific aid package offered to a student depends on their financial need. Most colleges, including KSU, determine financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (OSFAS) uses COA budgets to determine a student’s financial need. A student’s COA budget and financial need affect how much aid, as well as what type of aid, a student may receive. Standard COA budgets have been developed as required by regulations for students in different fee categories and programs.

Understanding Net Price

The net price represents the actual cost a student pays to attend a particular college after deducting grants and scholarships from the total cost of attendance. The net price is specific to each student, as it's based on their individual circumstances and the college's financial aid policies. For the most accurate estimate of net price, prospective students should utilize the Net Price Calculator available on the university's website.

Types of Financial Aid

Grants and Scholarships: These are forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. They are often awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or other specific criteria.
Loans: Loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest. They can be federal or private and come with different terms and conditions.
Work-Study: This program allows students to earn money to help cover their expenses by working part-time jobs, often on campus.

Important Financial Aid Dates

Application Due Date: This is the last day to apply for financial aid or submit related paperwork.
Priority Application Due Date: Applications received by this date receive the strongest consideration. However, students should still apply for financial aid even if they miss this deadline.
Notification Date: This is when students receive a letter detailing the amount and types of aid the college is offering.
Response Due Date: This is the deadline for students to respond to the college's aid offer.

Kentucky State University Scholarships

Kentucky State University offers scholarships designated as non-stackable. Students should carefully review their scholarship offer notification for this designation. A Kentucky State University scholarship award may be considered institutional aid.

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UK Tuition and Mandatory Fee Rates

The applicable tuition and mandatory fee rates will be determined at the time charges are assessed based on the student’s primary academic program, including students concurrently pursuing multiple degrees and/or certificates.

Undergraduate Tuition

For undergraduate students enrolled in the UK Campus, tuition and mandatory fees will be assessed per credit hour up to 12 hours. Full-time per semester rates (capped rates) will be charged to undergraduate students enrolled for 12 or more credit hours. Fully online undergraduate certificate and degree programs (i.e., Internet, web-based) are offered only through UK Online. Undergraduate students enrolled only in a UK Online certificate or degree program will be assessed the UK Online rate for each credit hour. There is no full-time tuition cap for UK Online undergraduate certificate and degree programs.

Graduate and Professional Practice Tuition

Graduate and professional students will be assessed tuition and mandatory fees based on their enrolled program. Unless specifically addressed below, full-time per semester tuition and mandatory fees will be charged to graduate and professional practice doctoral students enrolled for nine or more credit hours. Graduate students enrolled exclusively in classes offered through distance learning will be assessed tuition using the applicable resident rate, regardless of residency status.

Mandatory Fees

Mandatory fees will be assessed based on the student’s full-time or part-time status, program platform (UK Campus or UK Online), and program level. Full-time students enrolled in at least one non-distance learning class (i.e., on-campus class) will be assessed all mandatory fees. If a student wishes to participate in any activity supported by a mandatory fee that has not been assessed, the student must pay the total mandatory fees for the term, except to access University Health Service.

Students enrolled in programs offered by the colleges of Dentistry, Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health will be assessed the rates shown in the tuition and mandatory fee schedule, including the Student Health and Student Wellness mandatory fees where applicable, based on their enrollment status (full-time or part-time), program platform (UK Campus or UK Online), program level and curriculum load (regular or reduced), regardless of class location or modality. No refunds for the Student Health Fee will be provided to full-time students who change their status to part-time on or after the first day of the semester. However, these students will maintain access to University Health Service while enrolled during the term. Refunds for the Student Health Fee will be processed for students who officially withdraw from the University through the Registrar’s Office.

Effective with the Fall 2025 semester, full-time, undergraduate students enrolled in the UK Campus will be assessed a maximum of $717.50 of mandatory fees per term. Part-time undergraduate students enrolled in the UK Campus will be assessed $50.00 per credit hour. Pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, students enrolled at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) may select and pay for specific services from the list of mandatory fees.

Graduate and professional students will be assessed tuition and mandatory fees based on program and class modality. Distance learning classes include delivery modes such as fully online (i.e., Internet, web-based), hybrid, off-campus, TV, and compressed video. Unless otherwise stated, effective with the Fall 2025 semester, full-time graduate students enrolled in at least one non-distance learning class will be assessed $717.50 of mandatory fees per term. Full-time graduate students enrolled in all distance learning classes will be assessed $268.50 of mandatory fees per term. Part-time graduate students enrolled in at least one non-distance learning course will be assessed $66.00 per credit hour. Unless otherwise stated, graduate and professional students enrolled in programs which are classified as using Annual Full-Time Rates will be assessed mandatory fees totaling $1,616.00, effective in July 2025, for the full academic year. This also applies to the one-year Master of Science in Accounting and Master in Business Administration programs that are classified as using Full Program Rates. These mandatory fees will provide year-round access to services provided by University Health Service. For graduate programs which are classified as using Full Program Rates, the rates include tuition and estimated mandatory fees for all terms.

Distance Learning Fee

The President, or his delegate, may interpret the application of these rates on an individual student basis in extraordinary circumstances.

UK College of Engineering Extended Campus Program - Paducah

Lower-division undergraduate students (freshmen and sophomores) enrolled in the UK College of Engineering Extended Campus Program - Paducah will be assessed tuition and mandatory fees based upon the West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s (WKCTC) tuition and fee rates. Upper-division undergraduate students (juniors and seniors) enrolled in the UK College of Engineering Extended Campus Program - Paducah will be assessed the applicable UK rates. Pursuant to WKCTC’s tuition schedule, non-resident undergraduate students from counties in states contiguous to Kentucky and enrolled in this program are eligible for the applicable Kentucky resident rates.

BCTCblue+ Program

Undergraduate students in the BCTCblue+ Program may enroll in up to 12 credit hours (no more than four courses) during the fall and spring semesters at the current Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) tuition rate plus the University of Kentucky mandatory fees and any applicable course fees.

Active Military Tuition Rate

Armed Forces military personnel who are utilizing the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) program through Title X are eligible for the Active Military Tuition Rate. Eligible students will be assessed the Active Military Tuition rate and mandatory fees per credit hour for undergraduate classes. There is no full-time tuition cap for the Active Military Tuition Rate.

Global ESL Pathway Program

Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree at UK but do not meet the English proficiency for admission are able to enroll in the Global ESL (English as a second language) Pathway Program.

UK Next Generation Dual Credit

The University of Kentucky is a participating institution in the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) Dual Credit Scholarship Program. Through this program, high school students can enroll in a college class(es) and receive credit from both the high school and UK. Students that attend select network high schools have access to UK Dual Credit courses through the UK Next Generation Scholarship Program. As a participating institution, UK assesses eligible students using the established statewide dual credit tuition rate, which is one-half (50 percent) of the KCTCS hourly tuition rate.

Master or Graduate Certificate, Professional

Master or Graduate Certificate, Health Professional

Professional Practice Doctoral

College Specific Graduate Degrees and Certificates

Annual Full-Time Rates and Full Program Rates

Unless otherwise publicized, students enrolled in programs with Annual Full-Time Rates or Full Program Rates will be assessed tuition and mandatory fees semi-annually for all terms within the same academic year.

Dentistry

Doctor of Pharmacy. Effective with the entering class of fall 2023, the tuition rates for the Doctor of Pharmacy are “locked-in” for each entering class cohort. The assessed tuition rates will not change while students are enrolled in the program.

Doctor of Physical Therapy. Students pursuing the Doctor of Physical Therapy will be assessed tuition in three installments (one-fifth for the summer term and two-fifths for the fall and spring terms). Mandatory fees will be assessed in two installments (fall and spring terms).

Law. Part-time enrollment in the Rosenberg College of Law is permitted only with prior approval of the College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and is granted only for extraordinary circumstances.

Medicine. The College of Medicine tuition and mandatory fee rates are “locked-in” for each entering class cohort. The total assessed rate will not change while students are enrolled in the program. Students will be assessed tuition and mandatory fees semi-annually for all terms. Tuition and mandatory fees will be assessed in August and January for the first- and second-year classes and assessed in June and January for the third- and fourth-year classes to correspond with the start of classes and clinical rotations.

Master of Science in Accounting. Students pursuing the Master of Science in Accounting will be assessed tuition and mandatory fees in three installments (one-fifth for the summer term and two-fifths for the fall and spring terms) for the 11-month program. Mandatory fees will be assessed in two installments (fall and spring terms).

Master of Business Administration. The Master of Business Administration tuition and mandatory fee rates are based on the duration of the program. Tuition for the one-year program will be assessed in three installments (one-fifth for the summer term and two-fifths for the fall and spring terms). Mandatory fees will be assessed in two installments (fall and spring terms). For the two-year and three-year programs, the published rates include tuition and estimated mandatory fees for all terms.

Admissions and Academics

Kentucky State University is a small, public institution located in Frankfort, KY. Founded in 1886, it offers undergraduate degrees in 41 majors. SAT/ACT scores are considered but not required to apply. The degree program or major you pursue is major. Kentucky State University is known for one of its top majors: Business Administration, Management and Operations.

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