Compare 10 General Studies. programs in Kentucky. Average earnings: $38,149.
With top graduates earning $62,607, General Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $24K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Thomas More University's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $62,607, significantly above the state average of $38,149. Northern Kentucky University follows at $45,457, while Murray State produces graduates earning $40,665—demonstrating how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Thomas More graduates borrow $26,236 and face just a 9% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it Kentucky's clear value leader.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Thomas More UniversityPrivate | $62,607 | 43 | $26,236 | Good | $21,436 | Manageable |
| #2 | $45,457 | 92 | $23,000 | Manageable | $14,877 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $40,665 | 121 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,465 | High |
| #4 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $36,444 | 42 | $20,500 | Challenging | $20,717 | High |
| #5 | $35,212 | 138 | $22,250 | Challenging | $10,050 | High | |
| #6 | $33,939 | 221 | $22,095 | High | $18,310 | High | |
| #7 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $33,700 | 87 | $22,500 | High | $30,006 | High |
| #8 | $33,573 | 165 | $22,500 | High | $14,685 | High | |
| #9 | Brescia UniversityPrivate | $31,871 | 5 | $29,430 | High | $16,871 | High |
| #10 | $28,019 | 17 | $25,938 | High | $16,859 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
