Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Kentucky
- 28
- Schools
- $47,846
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,805
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,008
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 28 schools run from $36,382 to $66,240, a 1.8× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Berea College delivers the most for the money: roughly $43,150 in median earnings against $6,106 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Berea College ($6,106 net price), still posts $43,150 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Centre College graduates 83% of its students, versus a 50% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Berea College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.08× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Berea College ($43,150 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Centre College ($66,240), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Berea College costs $6,106 a year and Midway University costs $29,579. Yet their graduates earn $43,150 and $44,246, nowhere near the $23,473 price gap.
- On value, Berea College beats Centre College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Berea College and Centre College. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 2026-06-15
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% | 70 |
| 3 Northern Kentucky University #3 overall | $50,220 ▲ +5% vs avg | $8,191 | 50% | 69 |
| $59,025 ▲ +23% vs avg | $18,851 | 71% | 69 | |
| $45,036 ▼ -6% vs avg | $14,107 | 48% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Kentucky
This analysis ranks 28 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 50% and an average net price of $16,805.
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
CollegeRanker Primary Research
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
$18,434
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Kentucky, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 28 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $45,268 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 50%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,434 a year, with about $22,500 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 37% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Kentucky pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $18,434 and median earnings of $45,268 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
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 70/100 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 69/100 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 Kentucky lands at #4 with a 69/100 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 #5
University of the Cumberlands lands at #5 with a 69/100 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 #6
University of Louisville lands at #6 with a 69/100 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 #7
Western Kentucky University lands at #7 with a 67/100 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 #8
Eastern Kentucky University lands at #8 with a 67/100 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 #9
Georgetown College lands at #9 with a 67/100 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 #10
Bellarmine University lands at #10 with a 67/100 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Transylvania University lands at #11 with a 67/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Morehead State University lands at #12 with a 65/100 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
Kentucky Wesleyan College lands at #13 with a 64/100 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 #14
Thomas More University lands at #14 with a 64/100 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 State University lands at #15 with a 63/100 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 #16
Asbury University lands at #16 with a 62/100 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
Lindsey Wilson University lands at #17 with a 62/100 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 #18
Campbellsville University lands at #18 with a 62/100 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 #19
Centre College lands at #19 with a 62/100 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 #20
Kentucky Christian University lands at #20 with a 62/100 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 60/100 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 56/100 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 55/100 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 51/100 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
Simmons College of Kentucky lands at #27 with a 50/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Net price runs $18,434 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 #28
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary lands at #28 with a 16/100 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 27 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college involves weighing many factors, especially in Kentucky, where 27 institutions are working to prepare students for the future. These schools share a commitment to education and student success, but they differ significantly in their outcomes and financial implications. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision.
Graduation rates, average earnings after graduation, debt levels, and mobility outcomes are key metrics to consider when evaluating these colleges. The schools at the top of this list tend to excel in these areas, offering students better prospects upon graduation. The data below will help you compare these institutions side by side, highlighting what they do well and where they may fall short.
For example, Berea College and Centre College present contrasting scenarios. Berea has a lower graduation rate at 60% and offers a net price of $6,106, while Centre boasts an impressive 83% graduation rate but comes with a much higher net price of $20,781. This comparison illustrates that higher costs can sometimes correlate with better outcomes, making it essential to weigh financial considerations against potential earnings and career mobility.
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
When we look at the data, Centre College stands out for its strong graduation rate of 83% and higher average earnings of $66,240. In contrast, Northern Kentucky University trails with a 50% graduation rate and lower earnings of $50,220. This highlights how a school’s focus on student support and resources can lead to better outcomes, even if it comes at a higher financial cost.
After reviewing the 27 colleges listed, think about your own priorities. Consider how much debt you’re willing to take on, what kind of programs you are looking for, and the campus environment that suits you best. Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, so align your decision with what matters most for your future.
Ultimately, the journey from college to a stable career is shaped by the choices we make today. A degree can open doors, but the financial implications and support structures at each institution are critical. One family's decision could mean the difference between a manageable debt load and a challenging financial future.
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 Colleges in Kentucky: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Kentucky ranking? +
Berea College in Berea, KY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges 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 50% 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 $16,805 a year across the 27 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 Colleges 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 28 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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