Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Eastern Kentucky University vary significantly by field of study, with specialized technical programs leading earnings while liberal arts programs serve different career pathways. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and align career goals with outcome expectations.
Analyzing 52 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at Eastern Kentucky University.
#10 nationally
$84K median earnings
Earnings outcomes span from over $80,000 for specialized technical programs to around $35,000 for liberal arts and social science majors. The substantial variation reflects labor market demand, required skills, and career trajectory differences across fields. High-earning programs tend to be technical, health-focused, or specialized professional fields, while moderate-earning programs often serve as preparation for graduate education or diverse career exploration.
Eastern Kentucky University demonstrates exceptional strength in specialized technical and public safety programs, with multiple fields ranking in the top 5 nationally. The program tables below highlight these standout performers alongside comprehensive outcome data for all available majors. Rankings reflect competitive position within specific major categories rather than overall institutional comparison, providing focused insight into program-level excellence and career preparation effectiveness.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Eastern Kentucky University.
This group delivers the strongest earnings at Eastern Kentucky University, led by Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology ranking #1 nationally with $83,606 median earnings. The single program represents specialized technical education with exceptional labor market outcomes and perfect value scores.
Students pursuing technical careers will find top-tier return on investment in this focused but high-performing academic area.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/Technician. | #1 🏆 | $83,606 |
Program rankings reflect graduate earnings and career outcomes from federal College Scorecard data, not institutional prestige or academic reputation. Earnings differences occur due to labor market demand, required skills, and career progression patterns in different fields. Rankings evaluate programs within their specific major categories, meaning a #1 ranking indicates top performance among similar programs nationally. Cohort sizes indicate program enrollment levels, with larger cohorts providing more statistical confidence in reported outcomes. Students should consider these outcomes alongside personal interests, career goals, and post-graduation plans when selecting academic programs.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
recent graduates
Value scores combine earnings, debt levels, and career outcomes to identify programs delivering strong return on educational investment. Programs achieving perfect or near-perfect value scores typically combine competitive earnings with manageable debt and strong job market demand. The value analysis helps students identify programs offering optimal financial outcomes relative to educational costs and time investment.
Program-specific debt capacity analysis reveals significant variation in loan affordability across fields. Technical programs like Engineering Technologies and Health Professions generally support higher debt levels due to strong earnings, while liberal arts programs require more careful borrowing. Several programs show income-based repayment risks, indicating the importance of career planning and borrowing decisions aligned with expected post-graduation earnings.
| — |
| 111 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #140 | $71,866 | — | 27 |
| Engineering Design.Small sample | #23 | $63,749 | — | 14 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | #12 | $51,938 | — | 20 |
Business & Economics graduates earn 50K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management, General. | #10 | $83,711★ | — | 27 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #254 | $55,383 | — | 64 |
| Insurance. | #12 | $51,648 | — | 40 |
| Digital Marketing. | #134 | $50,327 | $18,470 | 70 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #261 | $48,429 | — | 44 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #52 | $46,726 | — | 75 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #204 | $41,328 | — | 39 |
| Information Resources Management. | #92 | $39,369 | — | 20 |
| Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations.Small sample | #14 | $29,250 | — | 14 |
Health programs demonstrate strong earnings potential, with Adult Health Nursing producing $64,922 median earnings and ranking #168 nationally. Animal-Assisted Therapy ranks #2 nationally with $59,674 earnings, reflecting specialized therapeutic focus.
Behavioral Aspects of Health rounds out offerings at $38,909. These programs combine solid career prospects with manageable debt levels, making them attractive for students seeking healthcare-related careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #175 | $64,922★ | $10,637 | 192 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy. | #2 | $59,674 | — | 74 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator. | #38 | $53,994 | — | 21 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist.Small sample | #62 | $52,822 | — | 17 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #54 | $52,446 | — | 34 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #93 | $49,263 | — | 33 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #74 | $38,909 | $20,000 | 68 |
Analytical Chemistry. leads sciences & mathematics with 58K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry. | #54 | $57,563★ | — | 41 |
| Biology, General. | #246 | $39,985 | — | 92 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology.Small sample | — | $28,960 | — | 9 |
Psychology General enrolls 210 students, making it Eastern Kentucky University's largest program by cohort size, with $33,394 median earnings ranking #315 nationally. The substantial enrollment reflects student interest in behavioral sciences, though earnings indicate the preparatory nature of undergraduate psychology education.
Students should plan for graduate education or specific career applications to maximize outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #149 | $47,215★ | — | 36 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #144 | $40,235 | — | 51 |
| Psychology, General. | #323 | $33,394 | $19,672 | 210 |
| Applied/Public Sociology.Small sample | #282 | $28,048 | — | 16 |
| Anthropology, General.Small sample | #156 | $23,649 | — | 14 |
Communication and Media Studies, Other. leads communications with 43K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #194 | $43,102★ | — | 36 |
| Advertising. | #65 | $42,222 | — | 31 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #65 | $31,604 | — | 32 |
General Studies serves 165 graduates with $33,573 median earnings, ranking #159 nationally in this broad interdisciplinary category. The program provides flexible academic preparation for diverse career paths or students exploring multiple interests.
While earnings appear modest, General Studies students often pursue varied post-graduation opportunities that may not immediately reflect earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #121 | $40,847★ | — | 22 |
| American History (United States). | #229 | $37,167 | — | 26 |
| Brass Instruments. | #88 | $34,419 | — | 24 |
| General Studies. | #170 | $33,573 | $20,474 | 165 |
| American Sign Language (ASL).Small sample | #5 | $32,174 | — | 19 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #221 | $28,880 | — | 37 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #320 | $22,192 | — | 31 |
Adult and Continuing Education produces $36,043 median earnings with moderate debt levels, ranking #179 nationally. With 77 graduates, the program serves students seeking careers in non-traditional educational settings.
Education programs typically prioritize service over earnings, with outcomes reflecting public sector employment patterns and career satisfaction beyond purely financial measures.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #89 | $38,073★ | — | 25 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #160 | $36,975 | — | 28 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #197 | $36,043 | $13,000 | 77 |
Agriculture & Environment graduates earn 38K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Production Operations, General. | #6 | $39,385★ | — | 37 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.Small sample | #18 | $36,641 | — | 16 |
Security and protective services programs excel at Eastern Kentucky University, with multiple programs ranking in the top 5 nationally. Corrections Administration ranks #126 nationally with $42,270 earnings, Fire Prevention and Safety Technology ranks #5 nationally at $66,925, and Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management ranks #3 nationally at $51,629.
This cluster represents institutional strength in public safety education with strong career placement.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician. | #6 | $66,925★ | — | 67 |
| Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management. | #6 | $51,629 | — | 54 |
| Corrections Administration. | #128 | $42,270 | $22,034 | 207 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 40K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General. | #16 | $60,844★ | — | 21 |
| Court Interpreter.Small sample | #7 | $44,205 | — | 13 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #165 | $39,222 | $20,257 | 79 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #63 | $36,176 | $15,131 | 39 |
| Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management. | #31 | $33,045 | $23,191 | 46 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #100 | $28,195 | — | 25 |
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.
