Compare 12 Sports Studies. programs in Kentucky. Average earnings: $37,968.
Sports Studies programs produce graduates earning between $24,035 and $48,705—a $25K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 12 ranked programs in Kentucky, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Murray State University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $48,705, well above the state average of $37,968. The University of Louisville follows at $43,403, while Western Kentucky University reaches $42,555. These regional publics prove that program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Murray State graduates borrow $20,500 and face just a 10.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42.
Highest program earnings: $48,705
Strong outcomes ($48,705) with 86% acceptance
10.8% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
21.9% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $48,705 | 26 | $20,500 | Good | $18,465 | Challenging |
| #2 | University Of LouisvillePublic | $43,403 | 239 | $20,500 | Manageable | $20,717 | High |
| #3 | $42,555 | 137 | $22,095 | Manageable | $18,310 | High | |
| #4 | $42,293 | 62 | $22,250 | Manageable | $10,050 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Bellarmine UniversityPrivate | $41,610 | 46 | $25,000 | Challenging | $23,000 | High |
| #6 | Asbury UniversityPrivate | $39,459 | 28 | $24,028 | Challenging | $21,858 | High |
| #7 | $39,222 | 79 | $22,500 | Challenging | $14,685 | High | |
| #8 | Georgetown CollegePrivate | $36,911 | 16 | $25,200 | Challenging | $24,160 | High |
| #9 | Midway UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 17 | $21,301 | High | $17,812 | High |
| #10 | $33,516 | 44 | $14,911 | Challenging | $11,623 | High | |
| #11 | Alice Lloyd CollegePrivate | $29,914 | 17 | $19,599 | High | $0 | High |
| #12 | Union CollegePrivate | $24,035 | 21 | $24,250 | High | $19,450 | 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 →
