University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Kentucky at a Glance
The University of Kentucky is a public land-grant research university in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. Founded in 1865 by John Bryan Bowman as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, the university is one of the state's two land-grant universities. It is the institution with the highest enrollment in the state, with 35,952 students in the fall of 2024.
1957
69 years old
$2.5B
$2.48 billion (2026)
35,952
25,586 undergrad · 9,184 grad
784 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Kentucky
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is University of Kentucky Worth It?
University of Kentucky offers moderate value at $18,851/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,025, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 71% graduation rate means roughly 29% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Kentucky compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #25 of 50 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #25 | University of Kentucky | 55 | $18,851 | $59,025 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Kentucky's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Kentucky
The highest-earning program at University of Kentucky is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $65,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Kentucky earns $65,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,851/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,800 | $65,800 | $21,500 |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $21,953 |
| Chemical Engineering | $63,300 | $63,300 | $26,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,300 | $63,300 | $23,443 |
| Computer Engineering | $59,600 | $59,600 | $28,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $56,800 | $56,800 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,500 | $56,500 | $22,875 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $50,800 | $50,800 | $16,472 |
| Civil Engineering | $49,600 | $49,600 | $22,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,700 | $46,700 | $23,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $45,300 | $45,300 | $23,250 |
| Economics | $41,300 | $41,300 | $19,250 |
| Marketing | $40,900 | $40,900 | $22,250 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,800 | $40,800 | $20,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,600 | $40,600 | $25,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $39,500 | $39,500 | $21,250 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $36,800 | $36,800 | $16,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $34,700 | $34,700 | $26,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,600 | $34,600 | $24,693 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,400 | $34,400 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,300 | $34,300 | $25,000 |
| Forestry | $33,800 | $33,800 | N/A |
| Mathematics | $33,800 | $33,800 | $25,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $32,700 | $32,700 | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,600 | $32,600 | $23,250 |
| Architecture | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,400 | $30,400 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,700 | $29,700 | $21,750 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $28,800 | $28,800 | $20,500 |
| Social Work | $28,800 | $28,800 | $23,587 |
| Journalism | $27,500 | $27,500 | $22,250 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $27,400 | $27,400 | $26,768 |
| History | $27,300 | $27,300 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $27,200 | $27,200 | $23,125 |
| Animal Sciences | $27,000 | $27,000 | $23,250 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $23,651 |
| Sociology | $26,000 | $26,000 | $25,250 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,900 | $25,900 | $19,150 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $23,125 |
| International/Global Studies | $25,600 | $25,600 | $22,750 |
| Agricultural Public Services | $24,000 | $24,000 | $19,500 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $23,250 |
| Anthropology | $20,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,000 | $18,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in KY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lexington, KY
- Student Body
- 24,763 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,851
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,025
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500