Kentucky State University

Kentucky State University
Former name
State Normal School for Colored Persons (1886–1902)
Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons (1902–1926)
Kentucky State Industrial College for Colored Persons (1926–1938)
Kentucky State College for Negroes (1938–1952)
Kentucky State College (1952–1972)
Motto"Onward, Upward."
TypePublic historically black land-grant university
Established1886 (1886)
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
PresidentKoffi C. Akakpo
ProvostMichael D. Dailey (interim)
Students2,163 (fall 2024)
Location, ,
United States

38°12′00″N 84°51′30″W / 38.20000°N 84.85833°W / 38.20000; -84.85833
Campus915 acres (3.70 km2)
ColorsKelly Green and light Gold
   
NicknameThorobreds & Thorobrettes
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IISIAC
Websitekysu.edu

Kentucky State University (KSU, and KYSU) is a public historically black land-grant university in Frankfort, Kentucky. Founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, and becoming a land-grant college in 1890, KSU is the second-oldest state-supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky.