Compare 17 Nursing Science. programs in Kentucky. Average earnings: $64,770.
With top graduates earning $82,878, Nursing Science stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $18K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University of Pikeville first, with Nursing Science graduates earning $82,878, well above the $64,770 state average. University of the Cumberlands follows closely at $81,012, demonstrating how smaller institutions can deliver exceptional outcomes that compete with any program in the state.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of the Cumberlands graduates borrow $14,911 and face just a 3.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PikevillePrivate | $82,878 | 16 | $20,679 | Excellent | $15,610 | Good |
| #2 | $81,012 | 85 | $14,911 | Excellent | $11,623 | Excellent | |
| #3 | $70,627 | 22 | $22,250 | Excellent | $18,540 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $64,922 | 192 | $22,500 | Excellent | $14,685 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Campbellsville UniversityPrivate | $64,318 | 32 | $17,156 | Excellent | $10,370 | Good |
| #6 | Bellarmine UniversityPrivate | $64,237 | 172 | $25,000 | Good | $23,000 | Manageable |
| #7 | Thomas More UniversityPrivate | $63,765 | 49 | $26,236 | Good | $21,436 | Manageable |
| #8 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $63,288 | 269 | $20,500 | Excellent | $20,717 | Manageable |
| #9 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $62,810 | 100 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,465 | Manageable |
| #10 | $62,248 | 223 | $23,000 | Excellent | $14,877 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $62,137 | 63 | $22,250 | Excellent | $10,050 | Good | |
| #12 | Berea CollegePrivate | $61,814 | 13 | $3,591 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent |
| #13 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $61,655 | 298 | $22,500 | Excellent | $30,006 | Challenging |
| #14 | $61,606 | 220 | $22,095 | Excellent | $18,310 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Spalding UniversityPrivate | $61,559 | 59 | $25,250 | Good | $17,500 | Manageable |
| #16 | Union CollegePrivate | $56,415 | 52 | $24,250 | Good | $19,450 | Challenging |
| #17 | Lindsey Wilson CollegePrivate | $55,804 | 22 | $16,784 | Excellent | $12,000 | Manageable |
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 →
