Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky · Public · 96.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 9/100 · Poor Value
Kentucky State University earns an overall ROI score of 9 (Poor Value) -- one of the lowest in CampusROI's database. The public HBCU in Frankfort, KY charges $9,387 in-state tuition with an average net price of just $8,040 -- the institution is genuinely affordable on paper. Four-year cost is $32,160. The problem is what happens after enrollment. Completion is 31.9%, median earnings six years out are just $25,600 (and only $36,382 at 10 years), debt-to-earnings sits at 1.013 (students owe more than they earn in a year), and the calculated payback period is 124.6 years -- meaning earnings essentially never recoup the cost. Repayment is among the weakest in the database at 43.5% three-year, falling to 38.1% seven-year. The institution serves an overwhelmingly Pell-eligible student body (58.3%) and many enrollees struggle academically and financially. KSU's mission as Kentucky's only public HBCU is significant, but the financial outcomes for the typical entering student are difficult.
The data raises concerns about Kentucky State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score9/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.01 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate31.9% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Kentucky State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,387/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $13,658/yr |
| Average net price | $8,040/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $32,160 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,382 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $25,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,938 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $275 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 31.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,309 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Kentucky State University is $9,387/year ($13,658/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $8,040/year, or roughly $32,160 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,225/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,938 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $275 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $36,382 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.01 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,225 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,739 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,256 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $1,958 |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30K pay $10,225 net -- which is actually higher than what middle-income families pay. The 30-48K bracket pays $6,739. Four-year cost for the lowest-income cohort is $41K. This is an inverted-bracket pattern that warrants investigation. Pell-eligible students pay more than would be expected from a typical aid structure.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48-75K bracket pays $5,256 and the 75-110K bracket pays $1,958 -- the second is actually the lowest figure in the entire database. Both are dramatically below the low-income figure. Flag: this is a significantly inverted aid pattern across all brackets. The 75-110K bracket pays almost nothing.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Net price for the over-110K bracket is not reported. The inverted pattern across the reported brackets makes it impossible to extrapolate. Prospective families should run the net price calculator individually rather than rely on cohort averages, as KSU's discount structure does not follow conventional need-based logic.
Earnings by Major
Top 5 most popular majors at Kentucky State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $42,743 | D |
| Journalism | $42,363 | - |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,767 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $34,522 | F |
| Business Administration and Management | $42,392 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Psychology
Psychology earns a D with 18 graduates. Four-year earnings of $42,743 against $33,746 debt produces a 0.79 ratio. First-year earnings are suppressed. The debt load is unusually high for the discipline at KSU's price structure, suggesting students borrow well beyond the average. Limited program-level data confidence.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice earns a D with 11 graduates. First-year earnings of $33,099 against $28,162 debt produces a 0.851 ratio. Four-year earnings climb to $46,767, which is the most defensible cohort trajectory at KSU. Students pursuing law enforcement careers should consider this the most viable program track at the institution.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration earns an F. First-year earnings of $27,013 against $30,750 debt -- a 1.138 ratio. Students owe more than a full year of wages. Four-year earnings of $42,392 do not recover the position relative to debt service. Graduate count is suppressed but this is a popular major nationally and at KSU appears to be producing poor outcomes.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Teacher Education (Subject-Specific) earns an F with 7 graduates. First-year earnings of $25,378 against $26,436 debt produces a 1.042 ratio. Four-year earnings stall at $34,522 -- one of the weakest mid-career figures in the database. Kentucky teaching wages are below national median and KSU's outcomes reflect that with full force.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 31.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 43.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 29.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 38.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 96.1% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 14-17 |
| Enrollment | 1,309 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 58.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,036 |
Kentucky State admits 96.1% of applicants -- effectively open access. ACT mid-range is 14-17, which is notably low and reflects an entering class with significant academic preparation gaps. SAT mid-ranges are not reported. The combination of broad access and modest preparation infrastructure produces the 31.9% completion rate. Strong students who enroll committed to completion can succeed, but the institutional norm trends toward attrition.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peers include Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, Lincoln University (MO), West Virginia State, and Mississippi Valley State. Eastern Kentucky and UK are flagship Kentucky publics with materially stronger outcomes. Lincoln-MO, West Virginia State, and Mississippi Valley are public HBCUs with similar profiles -- the HBCU peers face comparable financial-outcome challenges, suggesting structural rather than institution-specific issues. UK is the obvious better-ROI alternative for students who can gain admission.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky State University (this school) | 9 | $8,040 | $36,382 |
| Lincoln University | 10 | $19,092 | $39,463 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | 9 | $12,030 | $38,518 |
| Fort Valley State University | 9 | $10,338 | $36,666 |
| South Carolina State University | 9 | $18,097 | $38,262 |
| Virginia Union University | 9 | $13,235 | $38,275 |
Who Thrives Here
Kentucky State fits students drawn to public HBCU identity who want low cost and Kentucky in-state status. Pell rate is 58.3% and enrollment is just 1,309 -- small. The fit case rests on mission and community rather than financial-ROI metrics. Students should maximize outside scholarships and target a specific credential path (criminal justice has the most defensible outcomes in the program data). Anyone able to gain admission to Eastern Kentucky or UK should consider those alternatives carefully.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Kentucky State University. With a net cost of $8,040 per year and median graduate earnings of only $36,382 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 31.9% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,938 against $36,382 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.