9 Biological Sciences colleges in Kentucky with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $51,296.
We started with Biological Sciences programs scoring 60th percentile or above for mobility—schools that actually serve low-income students. Then we ranked by earnings. The result: 8 programs that prove accessibility and strong outcomes aren't mutually exclusive.
Centre College leads the rankings, producing Biological Sciences graduates earning $66,240 while maintaining an 85th percentile mobility score. University of Kentucky follows at $59,025 with an impressive 92nd percentile mobility ranking, demonstrating that schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes.
Eastern Kentucky University serves 39% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $45,795. University of Louisville delivers the best debt story with just a 12% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. Access AND affordability working together.
Earnings: $66,240 | Mobility: 85th percentile
39% Pell students with $45,795 earnings
12% payment burden | Manageable
26% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Centre CollegePrivate | $66,240 | — | — | — | — | 84th percentile mobility |
| #2 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $59,025 | $22,500 | Good | $30,006 | High | 92th percentile mobility |
| #3 | Transylvania UniversityPrivate | $54,705 | — | — | — | — | 76th percentile mobility |
| #4 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $53,899 | $20,500 | Good | $20,717 | Challenging | 87th percentile mobility |
| #5 | $50,220 | $23,000 | Good | $14,877 | Manageable | 71th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $45,795 | $22,500 | Good | $14,685 | Challenging | 82th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $44,737 | $20,500 | Good | $18,465 | Challenging | 75th percentile mobility |
| #8 | $43,889 | $22,095 | Good | $18,310 | Challenging | 78th percentile mobility | |
| #9 | Berea CollegePrivate | $43,150 | $3,591 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent | 62th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
