When an international student decides to study in Kentucky they will be able to enjoy the beautiful agrarian countryside and historic urban centers of this, the Bluegrass State. The state has a population of 4.3 million, ranking 26th nationally. Kentuckians find themselves spread out over the 13th smallest state-area of 104,000 square kilometers, at a density that is ranked as the 24th highest in the nation at 41 people per square kilometer.
Home to more navigable miles of water than any other, the state is bordered by seven states and two important rivers - the Ohio and Mississippi - which run along the northern and western portions of the state. Kentucky is bordered by Missouri to the west, Indiana and Illinois to the northwest, Ohio to the northeast, West Virginia to the east, and Virginia to the southeast. The state has a climate classification of humid-subtropical, which is similar to Milan, Italy; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Hong Kong, China; Okinawa, Japan; Odessa, Ukraine; and Belgrade, Serbia.
The eastern portion of Kentucky is considered part of the Appalachian area, and has influenced the state with its distinctive Appalachian culture. The terrain of this area, known as the “Cumberland Plateau,” is hilly and becomes increasingly elevated from the northwest to southeast. The westernmost portion of the state, known as the “Jackson Purchase” includes the only non-contiguous exclave in the United States (a portion of a state surrounded entirely by other states—created by an earthquake’s changing the course of a river and thereby isolating the land-segment) and is typified by cypress and tupelo swampland. Though primarily agricultural, this area is also a hotbed for tourism due to the abundance of water-related activities available of which international students in Kentucky may take full advantage. The “Western Coal Fields” and the “Pennyroyal Plateau” make up the interior of the western portion of the state, and both are home to rugged hills, caves, and mines. The northern interior of Kentucky is known as the “Bluegrass Region” and is home to most of the state’s population, historic urban centers, and rich savanna grassland—perfect for equestrian and agricultural purposes. As well as being home to the historic city of Louisville, this region of the state is also obviously derby country. If international students who study in Kentucky should find themselves unfamiliar with the derby, it won’t last for very long. The Kentucky Derby has been an American tradition since 1875, with the horse race drawing spectators from across the nation and importantly shaping Kentucky culture to this day.
The Public University System in Kentucky
The public university system in Kentucky is well-regarded, and is comprised of eight campuses spread throughout the state.
Undergraduate Level
If an international student is planning to study in Kentucky at a public institution as an undergraduate, they can expect to pay an average of over $14,000 in tuition. The least expensive option is Northern Kentucky University (at Highland Heights — seven miles from Cincinnati), at over $10,700. The most expensive is the University of Louisville, adding up to over $17,500.
Graduate Level
International students in Kentucky studying at public institutions at the graduate level can expect to pay an average of $6,000 in tuition. The least expensive option is Kentucky State University (at Frankfort) at over $4,700. The most expensive is again, the University of Louisville at $7,500. There are also many private and religious institutions in the state.
As an undergraduate, an international student planning to study in Kentucky can expect to pay an average of over $15,000 to attend a private institution. As a graduate student at a private institution the figure is lowered to around $7,500.
For more information and to search schools to study in Kentucky, and to contact them for free for further information, please visit the Study in the USA School Search.
