Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky
- 13
- Schools
- $45,933
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,424
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,317
- 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 $62,069 at the top. That 1.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Kentucky State University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $36,382 against $8,040 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Kentucky State University, at $8,040 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Bellarmine University graduates 66% of its students, well above the 46% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of the Cumberlands: graduates owe only 0.33× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Eastern Kentucky University ($45,795 earnings), not the highest earner, Bellarmine University ($62,069). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Kentucky State University ($8,040/yr) and Midway University ($29,579/yr) produce graduates earning $36,382 and $44,246 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $21,539 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Kentucky State University outperforms Bellarmine University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Kentucky State University and Bellarmine University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $45K 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 Eastern Kentucky University #1 overall | $45,795 ▲ +0% vs avg | $11,040 | 50% | 72 |
| 2 University of Louisville #2 overall | $53,899 ▲ +17% vs avg | $17,988 | 61% | 71 |
| 3 University of the Cumberlands #3 overall | $45,036 ▼ -2% vs avg | $14,107 | 48% | 71 |
| $62,069 ▲ +35% vs avg | $21,499 | 66% | 69 | |
| $46,747 ▲ +2% vs avg | $17,131 | 49% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky
This analysis ranks 13 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $45,933 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $18,424.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Kentucky State University — Net Price: $8,040 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Bellarmine University — 66% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Bellarmine University — Median alumni earnings: $62,069
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$45,036
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$18,600
Median net price
1.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Legal education is high-stakes. Graduates carry significant debt into a profession where earnings split sharply between large-firm and public-sector tracks, and bar passage is non-negotiable. The programs that deliver value combine strong bar preparation, real placement into legal employment, and costs that do not force graduates onto the large-firm track just to service loans.
The median graduation rate across these 13 schools is 44%. Median graduate earnings reach $45,036 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,600 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $21,301. Some 43% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.6%.
The earnings premium at the top of legal education masks a long tail of modest outcomes, and debt amplifies every decision. With median earnings of $45,036 and typical debt of $21,301, choosing a program with strong bar-passage rates and employment outcomes matters far more than chasing a brand name.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Eastern Kentucky University lands at #1 with a 72/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of Louisville lands at #2 with a 71/100 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, 17% 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 #3
University of the Cumberlands lands at #3 with a 71/100 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, 2% 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 #4
Bellarmine University lands at #4 with a 69/100 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, 35% 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 #5
Kentucky Wesleyan College lands at #5 with a 67/100 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% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Kentucky State University lands at #6 with a 66/100 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, 21% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Pikeville lands at #7 with a 65/100 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Campbellsville University lands at #8 with a 64/100 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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,341 a year. 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
Lindsey Wilson University lands at #9 with a 64/100 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, 10% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Alice Lloyd College lands at #10 with a 62/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,600 a year. 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 #11
Union Commonwealth University lands at #11 with a 55/100 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, 9% 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 #12
Spalding University lands at #12 with a 55/100 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, 8% 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 #13
Midway University lands at #13 with a 52/100 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, 4% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 13 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college for criminal justice can feel overwhelming, especially in Kentucky where several schools offer specialized programs. With an average earning potential of $45,417 for graduates in this field, it's essential to compare options carefully. Many students are looking for programs that not only provide solid education but also lead to good job prospects after graduation.
What sets the best criminal justice colleges apart in Kentucky? Key factors include graduation rates, average earnings, debt levels, and overall program effectiveness. The schools listed below are ranked based on these metrics, helping you to gauge which programs might offer the best return on investment. Understanding how each school performs can guide you in making a well-informed decision about your future.
Take Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Louisville, for example. EKU graduates earn an average of $45,795, with a graduation rate of 50%. In contrast, UofL students see higher earnings at $53,899, but they also face a higher net price of $17,988 compared to EKU's $11,040. This highlights the tradeoffs between cost and potential earnings that students must consider as they explore their options.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 9 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.6%. University of the Cumberlands leads the group at 2.3%, with Kentucky State University (1.9%) and Campbellsville University (1.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 13.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Lindsey Wilson University leads at 21.1%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 14.9% across this list. Bellarmine University posts the highest success rate at 31.3%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.42 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Bellarmine University reaches 1.66, the highest on the list.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky ranking? +
Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $45,795 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 50% 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? +
Bellarmine University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $62,069 ten years after enrollment, well above the $45,933 average across the 13 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, Kentucky State University leads: graduates earn a median $36,382 against net price of about $8,040 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? +
Bellarmine University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 66%, compared with a 46% 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 $18,424 a year across the 13 ranked schools with cost data. Kentucky State University is among the most affordable at roughly $8,040. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice 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 13 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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