College Grad Analyst
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Kentucky · Public · Predominantly bachelor's

Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky. 23,189 undergraduate students. 331 programs in the federal Field-of-Study dataset.

UNITID 157085 · OPEID 001989 · IPEDS HDVINTAGE · COLLEGE SCORECARD · 2025-05 · HISTORY 1996–2024
ANOMALY ENGINE · NOTABLE SIGNALS

What the data flags at Kentucky

Short-arc shifts (recent 3-year window), peer outliers, earnings trend breaks, completion drops, enrollment cliffs, and debt-to-earnings warnings — surfaced deterministically from the federal record. Multi-decade shifts are reported separately in the Long Arc section, since 25-year tuition drift isn't really an anomaly.

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER-100%

3-year cohort default rate

3-year cohort default rate at University of Kentucky fell 100% between 2021 and 2024 (1.6% → 0.0%).

PEER OUTLIER · TRENDING BETTER+32%

Public bachelor's-predominant peer

10-year earnings at University of Kentucky are 32% above the public bachelor's-predominant peer median ($59.0k vs $44.7k).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER+16%

Undergraduate enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment at University of Kentucky rose 16% between 2021 and 2024 (21.4k → 24.8k).

SECTION 01 · OUTCOMES SNAPSHOT

The numbers, vs. Kentucky

Each tile compares this institution to the Kentucky median for the same metric. Sub-line shows the comparison value, not an interpretation. Sparklines trace the federally available history.

MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10Y
$59,025+25% · 6→10y
Kentucky median $37,114
MEDIAN EARNINGS · 6Y
$47,266
Treasury earnings · 6y post-entry
COMPLETION · 150%
69.9%+48% · '97→'24
Kentucky median 49.7%
MEDIAN FEDERAL DEBT
$16,750+246% · '97→'20
At program completion
UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT
23,189+49% · '96→'24
latest IPEDS
RETENTION
86.7%+11% · '04→'24
first-time, full-time
ADMISSION RATE
92.4%+15% · '01→'24
latest cohort
IN-STATE TUITION
$13,212+292% · '00→'24
out-of-state $33,406
SECTION 02 · EARNINGS HORIZONS

How earnings spread, 4 to 10 years after entry

Treasury tax-record earnings for federally aided students who first enrolled at this institution. Each point is a horizon from the most-recent vintage. Single median per horizon (no p25/p75 publishing).

ALL FEDERALLY AIDED STUDENTS · TAX-RECORD EARNINGSVINTAGE 2025-05
Earnings widen with time post-entry. Selection: federal-aid recipients only — not all graduates.Methodology →
SECTION 03 · DEBT-TO-EARNINGS

What loans cost relative to earnings

Annual debt service as a share of median earnings 10 years after entry, computed under federal Direct loan terms (10-year fixed at 6%). The 8% line is the gainful-employment threshold from federal regulation; above 12% has historically been considered “failing” under prior rule cycles.

Institution-wide

3.8%
0%8% · GE20%+

Median federal debt $16,750 amortized over 10 years vs. median earnings $59,025 (10y after entry).

SECTION 04 · LONG ARC

Ten-plus year arc

Federally available history. Coverage varies by metric — IPEDS publishes some series only after 2009 and others only before.

UNDERGRAD · 1996–202424,763
24,76316,48119962024
Undergraduate enrollment.IPEDS EF
COMPLETION 150% · 1997–202471.4%
71%48%19972024
150%-time completion rate.IPEDS GR
MEDIAN DEBT · 1997–2020$22,500
$23,200$6,49519972020
Median federal student debt at exit.SCORECARD
COMPLETION · 150% · 1997→2024+48%

Kentucky · completion · 150% rose

48.4% → 71.4%

COMPLETION · 100% · 1997→2024+301%

Kentucky · completion · 100% rose

13.8% → 55.4%

RETENTION · 2004→2024+11%

Kentucky · retention rose

78.0% → 86.8%

UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT · 1996→2024+49%

Kentucky · undergrad enrollment rose

16,564 → 24,763

IN-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+292%

Kentucky · in-state tuition rose

$3,446 → $13,502

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+253%

Kentucky · out-of-state tuition rose

$9,666 → $34,140

MEDIAN DEBT · 1997→2020+246%

Kentucky · median debt rose

$6,495 → $22,500

COHORT DEFAULT RATE · 2011→2024-100%

Kentucky · cohort default rate fell

4.3% → 0.0%

PELL SHARE · 2008→2024+31%

Kentucky · pell share rose

17.2% → 22.5%

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_10YR · 2007→2020+30%

Kentucky · earnings_median_10yr rose

$45,300 → $59,025

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_8YR · 2005→2020+31%

Kentucky · earnings_median_8yr rose

$40,700 → $53,326

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_6YR · 2003→2020+31%

Kentucky · earnings_median_6yr rose

$36,100 → $47,266

SECTION 05 · PROGRAMS

Ranked by 5-year earnings

Each row is one (CIP × credential) program reported by the institution in College Scorecard's Field-of-Study data. Cohort floor is 30 students; below this, federal data is suppressed.

Medicine.CIP 5112 · First Professional Degree$191,366130 gradsDentistry.CIP 5104 · First Professional Degree$185,04659 gradsPharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration.CIP 5120 · First Professional Degree$135,815139 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.CIP 5138 · Graduate/Professional Certificate$129,89913 gradsAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.CIP 5109 · Master's Degree$119,53362 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.CIP 5138 · First Professional Degree$110,97928 gradsBusiness/Commerce, General.CIP 5201 · Master's Degree$110,670122 gradsHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.CIP 5100 · Bachelor's Degree$94,45578 gradsAccounting and Related Services.CIP 5203 · Master's Degree$92,16045 gradsInternational Relations and National Security Studies.CIP 4509 · Master's Degree$91,58827 gradsComputer and Information Sciences, General.CIP 1101 · Bachelor's Degree$91,572131 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative Services.CIP 5107 · Master's Degree$90,82523 gradsLaw.CIP 2201 · First Professional Degree$90,723135 gradsAgricultural Engineering.CIP 1403 · Bachelor's Degree$90,18828 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.CIP 1410 · Bachelor's Degree$88,74262 gradsCivil Engineering.CIP 1408 · Master's Degree$88,20015 gradsMechanical Engineering.CIP 1419 · Bachelor's Degree$87,796169 gradsEducational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research.CIP 1306 · Doctoral Degree$85,71835 gradsMining and Mineral Engineering.CIP 1421 · Bachelor's Degree$85,70919 gradsChemical Engineering.CIP 1407 · Bachelor's Degree$83,43878 gradsRehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.CIP 5123 · First Professional Degree$83,24165 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.CIP 4228 · Doctoral Degree$80,73112 gradsPublic Health.CIP 5122 · Master's Degree$80,61839 gradsFinance and Financial Management Services.CIP 5208 · Bachelor's Degree$80,396267 grads
Showing top 24 of 81 ranked programs.331 TOTAL PROGRAMS
SECTION 06 · BY CIP FAMILY

81 programs with earnings, grouped

Programs are grouped by 2-digit CIP family. Programs without reported earnings are hidden to keep the list focused.

COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES · CIP 11

Computer and Information Sciences, General.Bachelor's Degree$91,572131 grads

EDUCATION · CIP 13

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Bachelor's Degree$52,644278 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.Bachelor's Degree$43,081130 gradsEducational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research.Doctoral Degree$85,71835 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.Master's Degree$47,02235 gradsSpecial Education and Teaching.Bachelor's Degree$45,32817 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Master's Degree$56,69913 grads

ENGINEERING · CIP 14

Mechanical Engineering.Bachelor's Degree$87,796169 gradsChemical Engineering.Bachelor's Degree$83,43878 gradsCivil Engineering.Bachelor's Degree$76,31076 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.Bachelor's Degree$88,74262 gradsAgricultural Engineering.Bachelor's Degree$90,18828 gradsMining and Mineral Engineering.Bachelor's Degree$85,70919 gradsCivil Engineering.Master's Degree$88,20015 grads

FOREIGN LANGUAGES · CIP 16

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.Bachelor's Degree$50,10420 grads

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES · CIP 19

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services.Bachelor's Degree$62,85154 gradsApparel and Textiles.Bachelor's Degree$51,30154 gradsFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General.Bachelor's Degree$42,99238 grads

LEGAL PROFESSIONS · CIP 22

Law.First Professional Degree$90,723135 grads

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE · CIP 23

English Language and Literature, General.Bachelor's Degree$42,56557 gradsEnglish Language and Literature, General.Doctoral Degree$63,5175 grads

LIBRARY SCIENCE · CIP 25

Library Science and Administration.Master's Degree$50,18799 grads

BIOLOGICAL & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES · CIP 26

Biology, General.Bachelor's Degree$63,199208 gradsBiotechnology.Bachelor's Degree$56,79145 grads

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS · CIP 27

Mathematics.Bachelor's Degree$58,17147 gradsApplied Mathematics.Bachelor's Degree$71,30628 grads

MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES · CIP 30

International/Global Studies.Bachelor's Degree$52,70536 grads

PARKS, RECREATION & FITNESS · CIP 31

Health and Physical Education/Fitness.Master's Degree$56,39131 grads

PHYSICAL SCIENCES · CIP 40

Chemistry.Bachelor's Degree$64,23543 grads

PSYCHOLOGY · CIP 42

Psychology, General.Bachelor's Degree$47,701256 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.Master's Degree$55,02439 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.Doctoral Degree$80,73112 grads

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & SOCIAL SERVICES · CIP 44

Social Work.Master's Degree$51,575173 gradsSocial Work.Bachelor's Degree$44,25384 gradsPublic Administration.Master's Degree$55,58535 grads

SOCIAL SCIENCES · CIP 45

Political Science and Government.Bachelor's Degree$58,226121 gradsEconomics.Bachelor's Degree$62,95556 gradsSociology.Bachelor's Degree$42,32732 gradsInternational Relations and National Security Studies.Master's Degree$91,58827 gradsAnthropology.Bachelor's Degree$46,07820 grads

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS · CIP 50

Fine and Studio Arts.Bachelor's Degree$39,37031 gradsDesign and Applied Arts.Bachelor's Degree$57,49528 gradsDrama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Bachelor's Degree$35,08726 gradsMusic.Bachelor's Degree$36,41119 gradsArts, Entertainment,and Media Management.Bachelor's Degree$45,54719 grads

HEALTH PROFESSIONS · CIP 51

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.Bachelor's Degree$72,876293 gradsPharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration.First Professional Degree$135,815139 gradsMedicine.First Professional Degree$191,366130 gradsHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.Bachelor's Degree$94,45578 gradsRehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.First Professional Degree$83,24165 gradsAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.Master's Degree$119,53362 gradsDentistry.First Professional Degree$185,04659 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services.Bachelor's Degree$59,56254 gradsPublic Health.Master's Degree$80,61839 gradsClinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.Bachelor's Degree$65,51237 gradsRehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.Master's Degree$48,65131 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and Services.Master's Degree$61,12528 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.First Professional Degree$110,97928 gradsHealth and Medical Administrative Services.Master's Degree$90,82523 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.Graduate/Professional Certificate$129,89913 grads

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & MARKETING · CIP 52

Marketing.Bachelor's Degree$68,574343 gradsBusiness/Commerce, General.Bachelor's Degree$68,803324 gradsFinance and Financial Management Services.Bachelor's Degree$80,396267 gradsAccounting and Related Services.Bachelor's Degree$79,925173 gradsBusiness/Commerce, General.Master's Degree$110,670122 gradsBusiness/Managerial Economics.Bachelor's Degree$77,59770 gradsAccounting and Related Services.Master's Degree$92,16045 gradsHospitality Administration/Management.Bachelor's Degree$55,45427 grads

HISTORY · CIP 54

History.Bachelor's Degree$55,64239 grads

AGRICULTURE · CIP 01

Agricultural Production Operations.Bachelor's Degree$51,42675 gradsAnimal Sciences.Bachelor's Degree$65,39157 gradsAgricultural Business and Management.Bachelor's Degree$61,99953 gradsAgricultural Public Services.Bachelor's Degree$44,26839 grads

NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION · CIP 03

Natural Resources Conservation and Research.Bachelor's Degree$54,80133 gradsForestry.Bachelor's Degree$54,7349 grads

ARCHITECTURE · CIP 04

Architecture.Bachelor's Degree$55,91551 gradsArchitecture.Master's Degree$64,74821 grads

COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM · CIP 09

Communication and Media Studies.Bachelor's Degree$54,361211 gradsPublic Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.Bachelor's Degree$59,011168 gradsRadio, Television, and Digital Communication.Bachelor's Degree$42,14840 gradsJournalism.Bachelor's Degree$47,62136 grads
FINANCIAL OUTCOME · ILLUSTRATION

Estimate the financial outcome at Kentucky

Pick a program. Cost from Scorecard net price by family income; earnings from Treasury 5-year-post-completion median, projected forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve. The selection-bias toggle applies the Dale-Krueger shrinkage. Outcomes illustration, not a forecast — see methodology.

Shrinks the earnings premium toward the matched-applicant mean. STEM <15%, business ~40%, arts & education ~60%.

NET PRESENT VALUE
$626,346
Over 40 years, discounted 5.0%
BREAKEVEN
Year 7
First year cumulative discounted earnings cross zero
graduationbreakeven · year 7year 0year 39
Cost per year
$14,557
HS-only baseline · KY
$33,900
Years to complete
4
CIP family
52

Outcomes illustration · not a forecast. Projects observed Scorecard earnings forward with a Mincer age-earnings curve under your assumptions. See methodology for the math.

SECTION 07 · SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

Same sector and degree mix in Kentucky

Picked by Carnegie sector × predominant credential level. These are not rankings — just nearest-neighbour surfaces for comparison.

LOUISVILLE$53.9k

Louisville

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 61% completion
BOWLING GREEN$43.9k

Western Kentucky University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 54% completion
RICHMOND$45.8k

Eastern Kentucky University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 50% completion
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS$50.2k

Northern Kentucky University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 48% completion
MURRAY$44.7k

Murray State University

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 60% completion
CAUSAL DISCIPLINE

“Kentucky graduates earn $X” — not “Kentucky makes you earn $X”

Median earnings describe what cohorts earned. They do not describe what attending Kentucky caused. Selection effects (who admits, who enrolls, who completes) are real. We publish federal data with strict descriptive phrasing — and link the methodology where you can read about the limitations directly.

Methodology →