About

See what students say:

Academics

Kentucky State University is a Historically Black College with a rich tradition. It’s also the smallest of Kentucky’s public universities. “Small classes” in “a wide variety” of courses abound here. Tuition is reasonable as well. “KSU offers low-cost education to individuals who may not have had any other opportunity to receive it,” explains a senior. In a nutshell, adds a first-year student, KSU is about “educating the African American community and not breaking your pockets.” Students praise the nursing program and the music program. “The honors program is great.” True to its roots as a land grant institution, KSU also offers a number of programs in food and agricultural sciences. Other academic highlights include the FRIENDS program, which provides assistance for older students and the ACE program, “where students can go and get student tutors.” The “really helpful” professors here “want students to succeed.” “They love their job and will do anything they can to help.” “I love my ongoing, open relationships with my professors and the one-on-one attention,” adds an elementary education major. The administration is definitely another story. Things are “slowly improving,” but “There is close to no communication (it seems) between departments.” Some staff members treat students “like numbers,” and “The registration process is horrible.”

Student Body

Kentucky State is home to “a variety of students.” You’ll find the occasional “rude” student here but, for the most part, “Everyone is friendly” and “outgoing.” “Most students are African Americans” “simply because this school is a Historically Black College.” (White students make up roughly a quarter of the population.) There are also “foreign exchange students,” and there is “a large population of nontraditional and commuting students.” “There are definitely cliques” on campus but students “mingle and mix well.” A large number of students choose KSU “out of convenience and cost” and because “It’s close to home.” “We are just trying to make ourselves, our family, and our community proud,” says one student.

Campus Life

On KSU’s “small” campus, students are “very involved” in a broad range of activities, from sports, to drama, to choir and band (the Marching Thorobred Band is reportedly fantastic). “Life in general is fun, and in order to be part of the fun you have to include yourself, and take the opportunity when people make the effort to include you,” counsels a senior. There are “occasionally” parties sponsored by “sororities and fraternities.” Other student organizations host a good number of events as well. Off campus, though, “There is not much to do.” “The city of Frankfort is very small and does not have much to offer” besides a Wal-Mart. A large contingent of students leaves on the weekends, particularly the ones who are “used to larger cities.” Students seeking more in the way of nightlife often head to nearby Lexington, which is a mere 15 minutes away and offers a number of restaurants, bars, and other entertainment options. The closest big city is Louisville, about an hour away.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Racquel Johnson
Admissions Counselor

Address
400 East Main Street
suite 312
Frankfort, KY 40601

Phone
502-597-6106

Email
Racquel.johnson@kysu.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Jackson Hall
Carl Hill Student Center
William Exum Building
Whitney Young Residence Hall
Hume Hall

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Kentucky State Capitol
Kentucky Governor's Mansion
Capital City museum
Kentucky Vietnam Veteran's Memorial
Daniel Boone's Grave @ Frankfort Cemeter

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Monday thru Friday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:0
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
varies

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
admissions@kysu.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Varies

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Capital City Airport, Blue Grass Airport, Louisville International Airport, Capital City Cab, Blue Grass Cab, Frankfort Transit.

Driving Instructions to Campus
Traveling from the east: (From Lexington, Kentucky) Take I-64 West to exit 58 (Frankfort/Versailles). Turn right off the exit ramp onto Versailles Road (U.S. 60) and continue about 1 mile. Turn left at the second traffic light onto the East-West Connector (KY 676) and continue about 2 to 3 miles. Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and move to the left lane. Our campus is straight through the traffic light. Traveling from the west: (From Louisville, Shelbyville, Indianapolis) Take I-64 East to exit 53B (Lawrenceburg/Frankfort). Turn right off the exit ramp onto U.S. 127 North. Proceed down to the righthand lane and turn right onto KY 676. Turn left at the third light, which is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Stay in the left lane and keep straight through the traffic light. Traveling from the north: (From Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit) Take I-75 South to Lexington. Take I-64 West to exit 58 (Frankfort/Versailles). Turn right off the exit ramp onto Versailles Road (U.S. 60) and continue about 1 mile. Turn left at the second traffic light onto the East-West Connector (KY 676) and continue about 2 to 3 miles. Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and move to the left lane. Our campus is straight through the traffic light. Traveling from the south: (From Knoxville, Chattanooga) Take I-75 North to Lexington. Take I-64 West to exit 58 (Frankfort/Versailles). Turn right off the exit ramp onto Versailles Road (U.S. 60) and continue about 1 mile. Turn left at the second traffic light onto the East-West Connector (KY 676) and continue about 2 to 3 miles. Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and move to the left lane. Our campus is straight through the traffic light.

Local Accommodations
Best Western Parkside Inn U.S. 60 and I-64 Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 695-6111 Bluegrass Inn 635 Versailles Road, U.S. 60 Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 695-1800 or (800) 322-1802 Hampton Inn 1310 U.S. 127 South Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 223-7600 or (800) HAMPTON Holiday Inn-Capital Plaza 405 Wilkinson Blvd Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 227-5100 or (800) HOLIDAY University Lodge 711 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 223-2041 or (800) 251-1962 Super 8 Motel 1225 U.S. 127 South Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 875-3220 or (800) 800-8000

Admissions

Applicants: 2,078
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average HS GPA: 2.80






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