Lexington, KY · Private University
Is University of Kentucky Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,025
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,212
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,406
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$133,624
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.77x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
69.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,218
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Kentucky graduates earn $14,025 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Kentucky ranked by graduate earnings
40 graduates
24 graduates
53 graduates
176 graduates
119 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Kentucky
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Kentucky, the gap between the highest-earning major (Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General: $94,455) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $25,690) is $68,765/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $94,455 | 2.8x |
| Computer Engineering | $91,268 | 2.7x |
| Agricultural Engineering | $84,831 | 2.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $84,222 | 2.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,498 | 2.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $81,070 | 2.4x |
| Chemical Engineering | $74,477 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,215 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $67,805 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $66,429 | 2.0x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $64,921 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,655 | 1.9x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $60,526 | 1.8x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $59,354 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $58,361 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $55,856 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $55,698 | 1.7x |
| Landscape Architecture(1yr data) | $52,841 | 1.6x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,501 | 1.5x |
| Architecture | $50,683 | 1.5x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $50,177 | 1.5x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $49,782 | 1.5x |
| Information Science/Studies(1yr data) | $49,165 | 1.5x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $49,007 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,326 | 1.4x |
| Forestry | $47,702 | 1.4x |
| International/Global Studies | $46,631 | 1.4x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $46,477 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,390 | 1.4x |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $45,747 | 1.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $44,843 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $44,651 | 1.3x |
| History | $44,098 | 1.3x |
| Biotechnology | $43,719 | 1.3x |
| Animal Sciences | $43,515 | 1.3x |
| Agricultural Public Services | $43,042 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,393 | 1.3x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $41,502 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $41,186 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $41,175 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $41,149 | 1.2x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $40,953 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,718 | 1.2x |
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other(1yr data) | $39,657 | 1.2x |
| Social Work | $38,817 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,706 | 1.2x |
| Journalism | $38,624 | 1.2x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $38,471 | 1.1x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $37,276 | 1.1x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $36,957 | 1.1x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $33,905 | 1.0x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $33,700 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $33,360 | 1.0x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $33,030 | 1.0x |
| Music | $29,851 | 0.9x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General(1yr data) | $29,529 | 0.9x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $27,449 | 0.8x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General(1yr data) | $26,343 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $25,690 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | 1.77x | $59,025 | Good ROI |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 1.49x | $58,128 | Average ROI |
| Ohio University-Main Campus | 2.18x | $52,581 | Strong ROI |
| University of Kansas | 2.11x | $61,945 | Strong ROI |
| University of Louisville | 1.85x | $53,899 | Good ROI |
| Appalachian State University | 2.11x | $51,836 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Kentucky offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,025 10 years after starting — $14,025 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.