U of A vs U of K
Nestled in the vibrant city of Tucson, Arizona, the University of Arizona (UA) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, while nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass State, the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington offers a rich tapestry of educational opportunities. Both universities boast a diverse student body, with UA embracing a slightly larger community. While UA offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, UK excels in specific fields like engineering and agriculture. Acceptance rates vary, with UA being slightly more selective. When it comes to graduation rates, UK holds a slight edge. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two esteemed institutions. Dive in to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Arizona |
![]() University of Kentucky |
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Overview |
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Location | Tucson, Arizona | Lexington, Kentucky |
Campus setting | City: Large | 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 | 84.0% | 86.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.3% | 94.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1120 - 1370 | 1083 - 1330 |
ACT range | 21 - 29 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | 10.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | 70.0% |
Total number of applicants | 48,065 | 21,695 |
Total number of admissions given out | 41,946 | 20,396 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 8,436 | 4,721 |
Yield rate | 20.1% | 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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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In state:
$31,690
Out of state:
$50,688
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Average net price | $17,242 | $20,043 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
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In state:
$11,247
Out of state:
$30,245
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
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Room/dormitory:
$9,650
Meal plan:
$4,536
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
92.0%
Average amount $11,623 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
41.0%
Average amount $5,177 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
9.0%
Average amount $19,204 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
21,900
Men 43.1% Women 56.9% |
Graduate students |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
8,490
Men 37.7% Women 62.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 48.8% | N/A |
International students | 6.5% | 4.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,036 | 7,294 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado | Ohio Illinois Georgia Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 64.3% | 68.2% |
Dropout rate | 14.3% | 30.6% |
Transferred out | 19.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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