University of Kentucky vs Kentucky State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Kentucky holds a 60-point ROI advantage over Kentucky State University, scoring 69/100 versus 9/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Kentucky State University comes in at $8,040 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,851 at University of Kentucky - a difference of $10,811 annually, or roughly $43,244 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Kentucky graduates earn a median of $59,025 compared to $36,382 at Kentucky State University. The payback period is 9 years at University of Kentucky versus 124.6 years at Kentucky State University.
Graduates leave University of Kentucky with a median $22,500 in debt versus $25,938 at Kentucky State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 1.01 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Kentucky | Kentucky State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,502 | $9,387 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,140 | $13,658 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,851 | $8,040 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $75,404 | $32,160 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,500 | $25,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,025 | $36,382 |
| Graduation Rate | 71.4% | 31.9% |
| Payback Period | 9 yr | 124.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,500 | $25,938 |
| Monthly Payment | $239 | $275 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.52 | 1.01 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 43.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 68.1% | 29.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.9% | 96.1% |
| Enrollment | 24,763 | 1,309 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Kentuc... | Kentucky State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,182 | $10,225 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,119 | $6,739 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,313 | $5,256 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $21,192 | $1,958 |
| $110,001+ | $26,781 | N/A |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Kentuc... | Kentucky State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $69,451 | $42,392 |
| Journalism | $52,785 | $42,363 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $51,379 | $34,522 |
| Psychology | $46,570 | $42,743 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Kentuc... | Kentucky State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 70 | 11 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 68 | 9 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 70 | 5 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 80 | 12 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 54 | 5 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 9 |
The Verdict
University of Kentucky significantly outperforms Kentucky State University on financial ROI (69 vs 9). The 60-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Kentucky State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Kentucky.
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University of Kentucky
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Kentucky State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.