Kentucky State University, public, coeducational institution of higher learning in Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. It is a land-grant university consisting of colleges of arts and sciences, professional studies, schools of business and public administration, and Whitney M. Young, Jr., College of Leadership Studies. The School of Public Administration offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in public policy and administration. The Whitney M. Young, Jr., College, which honours the university’s most-noted alumnus, offers a great-books curriculum to undergraduate students. Historically an African American institution, Kentucky State University now has a racially balanced student body. Total enrollment is approximately 2,300. The campus also includes a 203-acre (82-hectare) agricultural research farm and aquaculture research program.

The university was founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons. The normal (teacher-training) school opened in 1887 to prepare teachers for black schools. In 1890 it was designated a land-grant college, and it graduated its first class that year. The name was changed to Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons in 1902 and to Kentucky State College for Negroes in 1938, shortened to Kentucky State College in 1952. Kentucky State was granted university standing in 1972.