6 Mathematics colleges in Kentucky with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $49,153.
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 5 Mathematics programs made the cut.
At $59,025 in median earnings, University Of Kentucky tops this list of mobility-focused programs with a 92nd percentile mobility score. Northern Kentucky University follows at $50,220, while maintaining strong outcomes for the 38% first-generation students it serves.
University Of Louisville exemplifies the double win: serving 29% Pell Grant recipients while producing graduates earning $53,899. Mathematics graduates face just a 10.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' affordability category—meaning they keep most of their earnings after loan payments.
Earnings: $59,025 | Mobility: 92nd percentile
31% Pell students with $44,737 earnings
9.9% payment burden | Good
17.3% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $59,025 | $22,500 | Excellent | $30,006 | Manageable | 92th percentile mobility |
| #2 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $53,899 | $20,500 | Excellent | $20,717 | Good | 87th percentile mobility |
| #3 | $50,220 | — | — | — | — | 71th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $44,737 | $20,500 | Good | $18,465 | Challenging | 75th percentile mobility |
| #5 | $43,889 | $22,095 | Challenging | $18,310 | High | 78th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | Berea CollegePrivate | $43,150 | — | — | — | — | 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 →
