By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
The University of Kentucky board of trustees has approved a 1.94 percent tuition increase for the 2026-2027 academic year, which has been authorized by the state Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).
Tuition and mandatory fees for full-time resident undergraduate students will be $7,088.50 per semester, an increase of $135. Full-time nonresident undergraduate students will pay $17,923, a $341 increase.
“Holding down costs and ensuring that the education we provide is affordable and accessible is one of the most important ways we help advance this state and ensure a Kentucky that is healthier, wealthier and wiser,” UK President Eli Capilouto said.
“Over the last several years, we have significantly lowered the rate of increases for tuition and fees while also lowering student debt and increasing financial aid and scholarships that students don’t have to repay,” he noted. “That means more Kentuckians are able to come to UK, stay in this state, start careers and embark on lives of meaning and purpose.”
These rates include an increase in mandatory fees which the Student Government Association (SGA) solicits and reviews proposals for each year. With SGA’s Student Fee Allocation Committee endorsement, the Campus Recreation Fee was increased from $95 to $109 per semester to support the expansion and renovation of the Johnson Student Recreation Center.
Overall, UK enrollment continues to approach 40,000 students with a Fall 2025 enrollment of 38,383 students representing every county in Kentucky, 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries.
For the past six years at UK, the rolling four-year average for tuition and fee increases has been under 3%. Additionally, the percentage of UK undergraduate, in-state students graduating without debt is now more than 50%, backed by continually increasing levels of financial aid.
Here is where you can find a full list of programs and tuition rates online.
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