6 Social Sciences colleges in Kentucky with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $53,178.
Top Social Sciences graduates on this list earn over $66,240—and these schools actually serve the students who need them most. With mobility scores at the 60th percentile or above, these 6 programs deliver both access and results.
Centre College leads the rankings, producing Social 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 rating. These outcomes demonstrate that schools serving low-income students can compete on earnings, not just access.
University of Louisville serves 29% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $53,899. Centre College delivers the best value with just a 9.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' affordability category. These schools prove access and manageable debt can coexist.
Earnings: $66,240 | Mobility: 85th percentile
38.6% Pell students with $45,795 earnings
9.5% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
30.0% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Centre CollegePrivate | $66,240 | $27,000 | Good | $50,378 | High | 85th percentile mobility |
| #2 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $59,025 | $22,500 | Good | $30,006 | High | 92th percentile mobility |
| #3 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $53,899 | $20,500 | Manageable | $20,717 | High | 86th percentile mobility |
| #4 | $50,220 | $23,000 | High | $14,877 | High | 72th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | $45,795 | $22,500 | High | $14,685 | High | 81th 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 →
