6 Communication colleges in Kentucky with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $49,594.
Most rankings ignore accessibility. We flipped the model: first, filter for schools that actually enroll and graduate low-income students (60th percentile+ mobility). Then rank by earnings. These 6 Communication programs made the cut.
University Of Kentucky leads the rankings, producing Communication graduates earning $59,025 while maintaining a 92nd percentile mobility score. Even the lowest earner on this list—at $43,889—demonstrates that schools serving low-income students can deliver strong outcomes.
Eastern Kentucky University serves 39% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $45,795. The best mobility schools deliver a double win: University Of Louisville combines 86th percentile mobility with just a 12% payment burden, meaning graduates keep most of their earnings.
Earnings: $59,025 | Mobility: 92nd percentile
38.6% Pell students with $45,795 earnings
12.1% payment burden | Manageable
26.2% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $59,025 | $22,500 | Challenging | $30,006 | High | 92th percentile mobility |
| #2 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $53,899 | $20,500 | Manageable | $20,717 | High | 86th percentile mobility |
| #3 | $50,220 | $23,000 | Manageable | $14,877 | Challenging | 72th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | $45,795 | $22,500 | Manageable | $14,685 | High | 81th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $44,737 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,465 | High | 76th percentile mobility |
| #6 | $43,889 | $22,095 | Manageable | $18,310 | High | 79th 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
