Asbury University
#9 Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,368 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,401 D+
- 25% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 63% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $964,301.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Asbury University Matters
Asbury University is a private university in Wilmore, KY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,420
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Communications, Education, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Asbury University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 63% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,401 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,368 ten years after enrolling — 4% above the typical college, against $24,028 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 88% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Asbury University is a good fit for students who are looking for a close-knit community and a faith-based approach to education. With an enrollment of 1,420, the school encourages a personal touch in learning, which is evident in its popular programs like Business & Marketing, Communications, Education, English & Literature, and Visual & Performing Arts. The acceptance rate of 63% means that many students have a chance to join this supportive environment, where they can thrive academically and personally.
When we consider life after graduation, the numbers suggest a solid return on investment. Graduates earn an average of $42,368 within ten years of finishing their degrees, which is respectable and indicative of the skills they acquire. While the graduation rate sits at 65%, it reflects a determination among students to complete their studies despite challenges. This context is important as it shows that many students find a path to success, even if it takes some time to get there.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is about $21,401, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $24,028, students often leave with a reasonable financial load, especially considering the potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive at Asbury University are often those who value a supportive community and are committed to their faith and academic goals.
Rankings
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky
- #10 Best Psychology Colleges in Kentucky
- #15 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #16 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #16 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #16 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Asbury University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Asbury University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Wilmore, Kentucky, Asbury University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 63% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,374
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 1,105
- Admitted
- 870
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Asbury University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Asbury University is $33,640, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,401. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,455 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,028 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $33,640
- Out-of-State
- $33,640
- Avg Net Price
- $21,401
- Median Debt
- $24,028
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,455
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,280
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,724
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,958
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Asbury University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Asbury University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Asbury University report median earnings of $42,368, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,563
- 8 Years
- $40,185
- 10 Years
- $42,368
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.57x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (159)
- 53%
- 100% (159)
- 53%
- 100% (159)
- 53%
- 100% (159)
- 53%
How Asbury Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Asbury University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Asbury University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,401/year ($85,604 total). Graduates earn $42,368 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,049,905 in total earnings — a net gain of $964,301 (12.3× your investment). The median debt is $24,028, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $85,604
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,049,905
- Net Return
- $964,301
- ROI Multiple
- 12.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,401
- Median Debt
- $24,028
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Asbury University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Asbury University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.79%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.79%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,588
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,275,778
- Investment Income
- $-6,060,573
Top Programs
The fields Asbury University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $39,616 early-career
- Communications 16% $34,625 early-career
- Education 9% $39,664 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Psychology 4%
- Social Sciences 3%
- English & Literature 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Asbury University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Asbury University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Wilmore, Kentucky, Asbury University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 63% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Asbury University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Asbury University is $33,640, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,401. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,455 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,028 in federal student loans.
Is Asbury University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Asbury University report median earnings of $42,368, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Asbury University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Asbury University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.79%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Asbury University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Asbury University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Asbury University.
- Drury UniversitySpringfield, MO · Close peer64% grad $40,694 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar, MO · Close peer53% grad $43,112 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN · Close peer70% grad $47,485 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of MobileMobile, AL · Close peer56% grad $43,611 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster, PA · Close peer69% grad $44,096 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Converse UniversitySpartanburg, SC · Close peer54% grad $40,867 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Asbury University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Asbury University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note