Students at the University of Kentucky achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the university well above typical public institutions for graduate earnings.
The combination of solid career preparation, reasonable costs, and above-average earnings creates reliable value for Kentucky families seeking flagship education.
Azimuth ranks the University of Kentucky 218th out of 706 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the 69th percentile for overall value. As Kentucky's flagship research university, UK combines the breadth and resources of a major public institution with relatively strong financial outcomes for graduates. The university serves over 30,000 students in Lexington, offering comprehensive academic programs while maintaining net prices that remain accessible for most Kentucky families.
What distinguishes UK is its ability to deliver above-average earnings outcomes while keeping costs reasonable. Graduates earn a median of $59,025 ten years after enrollment, placing the university well above typical public institutions for long-term financial returns. The university's strength spans multiple high-demand fields, from nursing and engineering to business and digital marketing, creating diverse pathways to solid career outcomes.
As a large public research university, UK provides the scale, alumni networks, and employer connections that help graduates transition successfully into Kentucky's economy and beyond. The combination of flagship resources, moderate pricing, and strong career preparation makes UK a reliable choice for families seeking predictable value from their higher education investment.
The University of Kentucky's program portfolio reflects both regional economic strengths and national career opportunities. Adult Health Nursing leads in aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment of 298 graduates with strong early-career earnings around $57,125, reflecting Kentucky's robust healthcare sector and the high demand for nursing professionals. Digital Marketing represents UK's largest program footprint with 329 graduates earning approximately $44,869, demonstrating the university's responsiveness to evolving business and technology needs.
Engineering programs deliver some of UK's highest individual earnings outcomes. Computer Engineering graduates earn roughly $69,338 early in their careers, showcasing the premium that technical skills command in today's economy. These engineering programs, while smaller in scale, provide pathways to high-earning careers that often extend beyond Kentucky's borders into national technology and manufacturing markets.
The diversity of UK's top programs—spanning healthcare, business, and engineering—reflects the university's comprehensive mission and its ability to prepare students for multiple career paths. This breadth ensures that students can find programs aligned with their interests while still accessing strong earning potential. The combination of large-scale professional programs and specialized technical fields creates a robust foundation for UK's above-average graduate earnings performance.
Graduates of the University of Kentucky achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the university's strength across multiple high-demand fields. Ten years after enrollment, UK graduates earn a median of $59,025, positioning the university in the 70th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance demonstrates the value of UK's comprehensive program portfolio and its connections to employers throughout Kentucky and the broader region.
The university's strongest returns come from programs that align with regional economic strengths and national demand. Adult Health Nursing stands out as UK's highest aggregate return program, graduating 298 students annually who earn around $57,125 early in their careers. Computer Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at roughly $69,338, while Digital Marketing represents UK's largest program footprint with 329 graduates earning about $44,869. These programs reflect UK's ability to prepare students for both specialized technical roles and broader professional careers.
UK's program mix balances practical professional preparation with traditional academic breadth. The university's strength in health sciences, engineering, and business creates multiple pathways to strong earnings, while its comprehensive offerings ensure students can find programs that match their interests and career goals. This diversity helps explain UK's consistent above-average performance in long-term graduate earnings across different fields of study.
The University of Kentucky maintains relatively affordable net prices across different income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Kentucky families. Low-income students pay approximately $10,267 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $14,557 per year. Even higher-income families face manageable annual costs of about $24,687, reflecting UK's commitment to keeping flagship education within reach for state residents.
Debt levels at UK are reasonable and sustainable given graduate earning potential. Typical students leave with about $22,500 in federal student loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings of $59,025. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $25,629 for families who choose this option, representing a manageable level of family investment in their student's education. The university's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully.
What makes UK particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students pay and what they ultimately earn. The combination of moderate borrowing levels and above-average graduate earnings creates a favorable debt-to-income ratio for most UK graduates. This balance allows students to invest in their education without taking on excessive financial risk, while still accessing the resources and opportunities of a major research university.
University Of Kentucky Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
