About

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2026) — The University of Kentucky in 2025-26 soared past 10,000 degrees and certificates awarded in one academic year for the first time with nearly 11,230.

The numbers illustrate the institution’s continuing growth, its progress in helping more students graduate on time and its commitment to meeting the state’s workforce needs.

“Our enduring mission is to advance Kentucky in everything that we do,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “There is no more tangible or important expression of how we accomplish that mission than in our commitment to educate and prepare more and more students to meet the state’s workforce needs. We are aligned with the Kentucky’s priorities and are quickly making progress in strategically growing to create and sustain our state’s economy with a skilled workforce — students who are prepared for careers and lives of meaning and purpose.”

UK’s enrollment numbers will be final in October. But the preliminary numbers, released each September in conjunction with the first meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees for the academic year, reflect a trajectory of growth paired with continued success in helping a record numbers of students graduate within six years.

The following is UK’s academic success and enrollment by the numbers:

• Students earned 11,228 degrees and certificates in 2025-26, up 15% from the previous year and the first time that number is above 10,000.
• Awarded more than 9,100 degrees (13% increase) and 2,120 certificates (23% increase), a reflection of how more students are seeking additional credentials above their bachelor’s degrees to prepare for the workforce.
• Overall enrollment is a record 39,541, up 3% over the previous year and the first time over 39,000 students.
• First-time, first-year student enrollment is at more than 6,700 students, roughly the same as last year by design. More than 61% of those students come from Kentucky; more than 38% come from outside the state — numbers on par with the last several years.
• The number of undergraduate students who are defined as first generation increased more than 3% over the previous year to more than 27% of UK’s enrollment. Among first-year students, nearly 27% are first generation, virtually the same as last year.
• The number of students from what the state has traditionally designated as underrepresented backgrounds also has increased to nearly 19%, up more than 8% over the previous year. Among first year students, nearly 18% are from underrepresented backgrounds, about the same as last year.
• UK’s retention and graduation rates also continued their impressive ascent. First-to-second-year retention is up one percentage point from the year prior at 86%; six-year graduation rates are at more than 73% for the first time — placing UK among the Top 100 four-year institutions in the country, according to the most recent numbers available.
• Four-year graduation rates are at nearly 63%, more than 30 percentage points higher than about a decade and a half ago.
• The number of UK graduate students has increased by about 4%, up to nearly 8,400.
• As in previous years, UK has students from all 120 Kentucky counties and all 50 states.
• UK Invests — a program in which every student has access to an investment account, financial education and other wellness programs — continues to demonstrate the University’s commitment to innovative programs that place students first.
• Students participating in UK Invests had a retention rate of nearly 90%; those who did not had retention rates of just under 83%. Students in UK Invests also had higher GPAs —3.31 to 2.93.

Over the last two years, more than half of students in UK’s first-year classes set up a UK Invests account. Since 2023, when the program was initiated, more than 18,000 students earned nearly $3 million from UK for their accounts; those earnings have translated into a projected account value in investments of some $9 million.

“When we invest in the success of students, we know they will invest in the future growth, health and prosperity of our state,” Capilouto said. “That is our commitment. That is progress we are making and the more than 160-year-old promise that is ours to keep. These numbers reflect that we are making good on that promise — to advance Kentucky so that we might have a state that tomorrow is healthier, wealthier and wiser than it is today.”

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2026) — Golisano Children’s at UK’s specialty partnerships with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Shriners Children’s Lexington are once again recognized among the top programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

The recognitions assist parents, in consultation with their children’s doctors, in finding exceptional pediatric care — whether for serious illness, a high-stakes surgery or complex medical needs.

“At the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare, we are committed to ensuring children across the Commonwealth have access to the highest level of care close to home,” said Robert DiPaola, M.D., co-executive vice president for health affairs and provost at UK. “This national recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, care teams and partners who work together every day to improve the health and future of Kentucky’s children.”

“We are especially proud that our collaborations with Cincinnati Children’s and Shriners Children’s continue to expand access to nationally recognized specialty care for families throughout the state,” said Eric Monday, Ph.D., executive vice president for finance and administration and co-executive vice president for health affairs.

“The care children receive today can influence their health and well-being for years to come,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., vice president of children’s health for UK HealthCare and physician-in-chief for Golisano Children’s at UK. “By providing access to nationally recognized pediatric heart and orthopedic programs, our partnerships with Cincinnati Children’s and Shriners Children’s are helping more Kentucky children reach adulthood healthier and better equipped to live full, active lives. Every family deserves access to that level of care, no matter where they call home.”

The Joint Pediatric and Congenital Heart Program, a collaboration between UK Golisano Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, is ranked 14th in the country in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. The program was created to give Kentucky families access to advanced pediatric and congenital heart care close to home, combining local convenience with the expertise of nationally recognized heart specialists. This ranking also includes patients treated through the adult congenital heart program, a collaboration with UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute for adult patients who were born with congenital heart defects.

“This recognition underscores the power of collaboration in advancing care for children with heart disease,” said Carl L. Backer, M.D., director of UK Golisano’s section of the heart program. “Through our longstanding collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s, we are combining resources and expertise to give Kentucky families access to leading-edge pediatric heart care. Together, we are making it possible for more children to receive outstanding treatment while remaining close to home and the people who matter most.”

UK Golisano Children’s also ranks in the top 50 nationally in pediatric orthopedics. The joint program with Shriners Children’s Lexington offers expert care for children with bone and joint conditions while supporting healthy growth and development.

“This recognition highlights what is possible when organizations work together in service of children and families,” said Vishwas R. Talwalkar, M.D., professor of pediatric orthopedics and chief of staff for Shriners Children’s Lexington. “Through our partnership with Shriners Children’s, we are able to deliver highly specialized comprehensive care, providing patients with access to leading treatments that help them achieve their fullest potential.”

For the 2026-27 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 114 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.

“Earning a place on U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals list is a testament to Golisano Children’s at UK’s dedication to clinical excellence and patient safety,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “These rankings highlight the standout hospitals in each specialty and each region.”

The full 2026-27 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings can be found at USNews.com. For more information, explore #BestChildrensHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and X.

UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.

As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the healthcare landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2026) — The University of Kentucky budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is positioning UK to extend and enhance its mission to advance Kentucky, driven by continued growth in its healthcare system and investments in students, employees and communities across the state.

The budget — the largest in UK history at $9.6 billion — reflects an institution expanding its reach in education, research and healthcare while creating jobs and increasing access to affordable higher education.

“While this is the largest budget in our institution’s history, the numbers alone don’t tell the story,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “What matters most is what those resources allow us to do — serve more students, care for more patients and strengthen communities across Kentucky.”

Growth fueled by healthcare, workforce Impact

UK’s healthcare enterprise continues to be a major driver of the university’s expansion, alongside steady growth in academic and research programs.

• About 5,400 jobs have been added over the past five years, bringing UK’s workforce to over 35,000 people.

• UK hospitals are treating tens of thousands more patients annually, with outpatient visits numbering in the millions in recent years.

“Behind these numbers are real stories — patients receiving care closer to home and families across Kentucky benefiting from a stronger health system,” Capilouto said.

Expanding access, keeping college affordable

The university continues to see strong demand from students, projecting another incoming class of more than 6,000 and total enrollment exceeding 38,000.

• More than $190 million will be invested in scholarships and financial aid this year.

• More than 90% of in-state undergraduate students receive some form of grant or scholarship support.

“Nothing is more important to Kentucky’s future than the success of our students,” Capilouto said. “We are committed to making a UK education accessible and preparing graduates for careers that strengthen our state.”

Investing in employees

The budget includes a 3% salary increase for eligible employees, with a minimum raise of $1,500.

It’s the 13th year out of 14 that some increase in compensation has been funded for UK employees.

“This budget is about more than growth,” Capilouto said. “It’s about impact and at the University of Kentucky, our mission has always been clear: everything we do is in service to this state.”

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.