U of K vs The Pennsylvania State University (PSU)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed institutions: the University of Kentucky (UK) and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU). While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they each possess unique characteristics that may influence your college experience. UK, nestled in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky, boasts a vibrant campus and a strong sense of community. PSU, located in University Park, Pennsylvania, offers a sprawling campus with a diverse student body. As you embark on your academic journey, consider the acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates of these two universities. Explore the comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
The Pennsylvania State University logo

The Pennsylvania State University

University of Kentucky logo

University of Kentucky

Overview

Location University Park, Pennsylvania Lexington, Kentucky
Campus setting City: Small City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 87.0% 86.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 92.3% 94.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $65

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $65
SAT range 1140 - 1360 1083 - 1330
ACT range 25 - 31 22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 32.0% 10.0%
Students submitting ACT score 6.0% 70.0%
Total number of applicants 96,686 21,695
Total number of admissions given out 89,207 20,396
Admitted students who chose to enroll 16,049 4,721
Yield rate 18.0% 23.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $38,270

Out of state: $55,848
In state: $31,690

Out of state: $50,688
Average net price $24,012 $20,043
Tuition
In state: $18,368

Out of state: $35,946
In state: $11,247

Out of state: $30,245
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,360

Meal plan: $5,618
Room/dormitory: $9,650

Meal plan: $4,536
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

51.0%
Average amount $9,884
92.0%
Average amount $11,623
Students receiving federal student loan 49.0%
Average amount $5,305
41.0%
Average amount $5,177
Students taking out private loans 13.0%
Average amount $19,837
9.0%
Average amount $19,204

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 73,476
Men 53.7% Women 46.3%
21,900
Men 43.1% Women 56.9%
Graduate students 15,438
Men 51.7% Women 48.3%
8,490
Men 37.7% Women 62.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 34.1% N/A
International students 10.5% 4.0%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Large
Dormitory capacity 20,547 7,294
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Virginia Ohio Illinois Georgia Tennessee

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 16:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 72.3% 68.2%
Dropout rate 25.7% 30.6%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $109,295
  • Year 2: $120,549
  • Year 3: $125,527
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $99,798
  • Year 2: $95,930
  • Year 3: $120,289
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,190
  • Year 2: $97,959
  • Year 3: $113,544
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $98,403
  • Year 3: $108,754
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,372
  • Year 2: $100,455
  • Year 3: $107,874
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,574
  • Year 2: $99,291
  • Year 3: $104,370
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $95,304
  • Year 2: $97,855
  • Year 3: $104,056
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,512
  • Year 2: $94,864
  • Year 3: $103,461
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $92,632
  • Year 3: $98,201
Nuclear Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $89,155
  • Year 3: $94,780
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $106,223
  • Year 2: $114,892
  • Year 3: $134,605
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $81,971
  • Year 2: $114,730
  • Year 3: $122,422
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $101,348
  • Year 2: $116,083
  • Year 3: $111,861
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $99,330
  • Year 2: $92,277
  • Year 3: $102,019
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,048
  • Year 2: $93,555
  • Year 3: $98,399
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $83,128
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,062
  • Year 2: $62,260
  • Year 3: $78,282
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,632
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $76,500
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,089
  • Year 2: $70,512
  • Year 3: $74,487
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,465
  • Year 2: $68,666
  • Year 3: $72,801

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