Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- 27
- Schools
- $47,846
- Avg. Earnings
- 51%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,743
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,008
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $36,382 at the low end to $66,240 at the top. That 1.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Berea College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $43,150 against $6,106 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Berea College at $6,106 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $43,150, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Centre College graduates 83% of its students, well above the 51% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Berea College: graduates owe only 0.08× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Berea College ($43,150 earnings), not the highest earner, Centre College ($66,240). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Berea College ($6,106/yr) and Midway University ($29,579/yr) produce graduates earning $43,150 and $44,246 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $23,473 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Berea College outperforms Centre College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Berea College and Centre College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $46K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Berea College #1 overall | $43,150 ▼ -10% vs avg | $6,106 | 60% | 72 |
| 2 Murray State University #2 overall | $44,737 ▼ -6% vs avg | $9,096 | 60% | 68 |
| 3 Northern Kentucky University #3 overall | $50,220 ▲ +5% vs avg | $8,191 | 50% | 68 |
| $53,899 ▲ +13% vs avg | $17,988 | 61% | 67 | |
| $59,025 ▲ +23% vs avg | $18,851 | 71% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
This analysis ranks 27 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,846 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 51% and an average net price of $16,743.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Berea College — Net Price: $6,106 | Graduation Rate: 60%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Centre College — 83% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Centre College — Median alumni earnings: $66,240
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Kentucky Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Kentucky?
$45,268
Median earnings (10yr)
50%
Median graduation rate
$18,294
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Kentucky serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Start with the medians across these 27 schools. Graduates earn a median of $45,268 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 50%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,294 a year with about $22,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 37% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.4%.
For Kentucky, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $18,294 and graduates earning a median of $45,268, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Berea College lands at #1 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $43,150 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Murray State University lands at #2 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,737 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,096 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Northern Kentucky University lands at #3 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $50,220 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,191 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Louisville lands at #4 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $53,899 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,988 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Kentucky lands at #5 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,025 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,851 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Western Kentucky University lands at #6 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $43,889 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,990 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Eastern Kentucky University lands at #7 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $45,795 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,040 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of the Cumberlands lands at #8 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,036 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,107 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Transylvania University lands at #9 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $54,705 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,913 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Georgetown College lands at #10 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $52,074 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,095 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Bellarmine University lands at #11 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $62,069 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,499 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Morehead State University lands at #12 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,197 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,793 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Centre College lands at #13 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $66,240 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,781 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Thomas More University lands at #14 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $59,384 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,835 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Kentucky Wesleyan College lands at #15 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $46,747 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,131 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Asbury University lands at #16 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $42,368 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,401 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Campbellsville University lands at #17 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,583 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,341 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Lindsey Wilson University lands at #18 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $41,129 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,070 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Kentucky State University lands at #19 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,382 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,040 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Kentucky Christian University lands at #20 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,375 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,038 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Pikeville lands at #21 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $48,231 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,311 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Brescia University lands at #22 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,500 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,709 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Alice Lloyd College lands at #23 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,573 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,600 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Union Commonwealth University lands at #24 with a 54/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,002 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,311 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Spalding University lands at #25 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $49,438 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,491 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Midway University lands at #26 with a 50/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $44,246 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,579 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary lands at #27 with a 22/100 composite, led by value per dollar (100/100) and pulled down by social mobility (3/100). Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 26 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right bachelor's program is a significant decision for students and families. In Kentucky, 27 institutions offer programs that stand out for their outcomes and mobility potential. Graduates from these schools can expect varying levels of earnings and financial obligations, which are crucial when considering the return on investment for college education.
The schools ranked here differ primarily in their graduation rates, average earnings after graduation, and student debt levels. These factors are essential indicators of how well a program prepares its students for successful careers. For instance, schools like Berea College and Centre College show strong earnings and graduation rates, highlighting their effectiveness in helping students achieve financial stability.
Consider Berea College and Centre College. Berea graduates earn an average of $43,150 a year, with a 60% graduation rate and a lower net price of $6,106. In contrast, Centre College has higher earnings at $66,240 and a graduation rate of 83%, but students face a net price of $20,781. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs between immediate financial burden and long-term financial success that students must weigh.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 19 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. University of the Cumberlands leads the group at 2.3%, with Kentucky State University (1.9%) and Campbellsville University (1.8%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 9.9% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Lindsey Wilson University enrolls the most, at 21.1%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 16.8% across the list, peaking at 31.8% at Transylvania University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Asbury University is highest at 1.70.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Berea College and Centre College exemplify how different schools can lead to varying outcomes. While Berea College has a modest average earning of $43,150 and a graduation rate of 60%, Centre College significantly outpaces this with an average earning of $66,240 and an 83% graduation rate. However, this comes with a higher net price, indicating that families might have to invest more upfront for potentially higher returns.
After reviewing the rankings, families should weigh the data against their own priorities. Factors like location, specific program offerings, campus culture, and financial situation play a critical role in the decision-making process. Students should consider what balance of cost, support, and opportunities aligns with their personal and professional goals.
Ultimately, the choices we make today about education can shape our financial futures. Selecting a school with a strong track record for earnings and graduation can set a foundation for stability. For one family, choosing between a lower-cost option like Berea College and a potentially more lucrative but pricier Centre College could determine their financial health for years to come.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky ranking? +
Berea College in Berea, KY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $43,150 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 60% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Centre College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $66,240 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,846 average across the 26 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Berea College leads: graduates earn a median $43,150 against net price of about $6,106 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Centre College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 83%, compared with a 51% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,743 a year across the 26 ranked schools with cost data. Berea College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,106. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 27 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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