Campbellsville University
#8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,583 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $19,341 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.5 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $13.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $964,465.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 44% — 22% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Campbellsville University Matters
Campbellsville University is a private university in Campbellsville, 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
- 2,840
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Culinary & Personal Services, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Campbellsville 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
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,341 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,583 ten years after enrolling — 2% above the typical college, against $17,156 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 36% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.41 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 2,840 students, Campbellsville University is a great fit for those looking for a close-knit community and a supportive environment. The school has an acceptance rate of 80%, making it accessible for many. Students here often pursue degrees in Business & Marketing, Culinary & Personal Services, Health Professions, Education, and Humanities, reflecting a diverse range of interests and career paths.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $41,583 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure indicates a solid return on investment, especially when we consider the affordability of attending. With a net price of $19,341, many graduates find themselves in a position to manage their finances effectively, despite the average debt load of $17,156.
When it comes to the bottom line, Campbellsville University presents an opportunity for students who are driven and motivated. The financial support available, including Pell Grants for about 20% of the student body, helps to ease the burden of costs. Here, you'll find individuals who thrive on personal connection and a collaborative spirit, making it a good choice for those who value community alongside their academic pursuits.
Rankings
- #8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky
- #17 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #17 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- #17 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
- #17 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #18 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #18 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Campbellsville 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 Campbellsville University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Campbellsville University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,787
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 23:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
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 Campbellsville University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Campbellsville University is $27,998, 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 $19,341. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,880 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,156 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $27,998
- Out-of-State
- $27,998
- Avg Net Price
- $19,341
- Median Debt
- $17,156
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 18%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,880
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,936
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,476
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,105
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Campbellsville University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Campbellsville University report median earnings of $41,583, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,639
- 8 Years
- $37,695
- 10 Years
- $41,583
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (138)
- 29%
- 100% (138)
- 29%
- 100% (138)
- 29%
- 100% (138)
- 29%
How Campbellsville 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 Campbellsville University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Campbellsville University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,341/year ($77,364 total). Graduates earn $41,583 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,041,829 in total earnings — a net gain of $964,465 (13.5× your investment). The median debt is $17,156, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $77,364
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,041,829
- Net Return
- $964,465
- ROI Multiple
- 13.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,341
- Median Debt
- $17,156
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
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 Campbellsville University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Campbellsville University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.78%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.78%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $68,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $744,581
Top Programs
The fields Campbellsville University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 19%
- Culinary & Personal Services 17%
- Health Professions 11%
- Education 8%
- Humanities 7%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Psychology 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Campbellsville 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Campbellsville University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Campbellsville University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Campbellsville University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Campbellsville University is $27,998, 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 $19,341. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,880 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,156 in federal student loans.
Is Campbellsville University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Campbellsville University report median earnings of $41,583, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Campbellsville University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Campbellsville University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.78%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Campbellsville 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 Campbellsville University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.41, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Campbellsville University.
- Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR · Close peer48% grad $42,386 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg, SC · Close peer33% grad $38,262 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Husson UniversityBangor, ME · Close peer58% grad $45,025 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SUNY at Purchase CollegePurchase, NY · Close peer62% grad $45,092 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC · Close peer48% grad $45,898 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC · Close peer49% grad $42,396 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Campbellsville 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 Campbellsville University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.41, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note