Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Berea College vary significantly by field of study, with Artificial Intelligence leading earnings outcomes while Biology and Communications serve different career pathways. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 16 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface the three programs available at Berea College, each serving substantial portions of the student body and representing core institutional strengths.
#147 nationally
$34K median earnings
Earnings outcomes vary substantially across Berea College's three programs, with technical fields significantly outperforming traditional liberal arts areas. The data below demonstrates how program choice affects long-term financial outcomes, even within the same institutional environment.
Program rankings at Berea College highlight the institution's strongest national standings across its concentrated portfolio. The tables below show how each program performs relative to similar programs nationwide and within Kentucky, with Artificial Intelligence leading both earnings and ranking performance.
Value scores combine earnings, debt, and cost factors to identify programs delivering the strongest return on educational investment. The analysis below shows how Berea College's programs perform on this composite measure, accounting for the institution's unique affordability profile.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare all three programs by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Berea College.
Artificial Intelligence stands out as Berea College's flagship program, ranking #109 nationally and delivering median earnings of $65,907. With 29 graduates representing 36% of the cohort, this program demonstrates the institution's commitment to high-demand technical fields.
This program is best suited for students seeking strong post-graduation earnings potential while maintaining Berea's debt-free educational model.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. | #147 | $65,907★ | — | 29 |
Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because graduates enter different labor markets with varying demand and compensation structures. These rankings reflect post-graduation employment results from federal College Scorecard data, not academic reputation or program prestige. Earnings differences reflect market realities: technical fields like Artificial Intelligence command higher starting salaries, while fields like Biology often lead to graduate study or service careers with different compensation patterns. Cohort sizes indicate program enrollment scale, with larger cohorts providing higher confidence in reported outcomes. All data represents graduates who can be tracked in federal employment records, requiring minimum cohort sizes for privacy protection.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians.Small sample |
| #21 |
| $47,801 |
| — |
| 16 |
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. leads health with 62K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.Small sample | #276 | $61,814 | — | 13 |
Biology represents Berea College's science pathway, graduating 27 students with median earnings of $29,333. While earnings are more modest compared to technical programs, Biology serves students pursuing healthcare, research, or graduate school preparation.
This group is well suited for students prioritizing academic preparation for advanced study or service-oriented careers over immediate earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #363 | $29,333★ | — | 27 |
| Algebra and Number Theory.Small sample | #247 | $17,846 | — | 14 |
Psychology, General. leads social sciences & policy with 35K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General.Small sample | #339 | $35,360 | — | 17 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates 24 students with median earnings of $37,291, ranking #154 nationally and #4 in Kentucky. The program offers solid middle-ground earnings outcomes while serving students interested in media, journalism, and communication careers.
This path is ideal for students balancing earnings potential with creative and communication-focused career interests.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #212 | $37,291 | — | 24 |
American History (United States). leads humanities & arts with 24K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States).Small sample | — | $24,035★ | — | 7 |
| Catalan Language and Literature.Small sample | #172 | $23,579 | — | 11 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation.Small sample | #257 | $20,036 | — | 17 |
| Acting.Small sample | — | $19,227 | — | 9 |
| English Language and Literature, General.Small sample | #324 | $18,315 | — | 16 |
Education, General. leads education with 34K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General.Small sample | #17 | $33,882 | — | 15 |
Agriculture, General. leads agriculture & environment with 28K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, General.Small sample | #33 | $28,065 | — | 13 |
African-American/Black Studies. leads other & interdisciplinary with 30K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African-American/Black Studies.Small sample | — | $29,685★ | — | 6 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.Small sample | — | $13,702 | — | 5 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
