At $8,900/yr net price, Kentucky State University graduates earn $36,382/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,382/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,900 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $35,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,382/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,382/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,938 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,809/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,703/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,471/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,362/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,285/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,402 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,045 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $37,856 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $31,133 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $29,064 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $28,019 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 | |
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $22,578 |
The Risk Factor
27.1% of students at Kentucky State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Kentucky State University gives you a low sticker price but a weak payoff for most majors. Ten years out, median earnings sit near $36,000 , barely above what many jobs pay without a degree. The bigger problem is the 27% graduation rate. If you leave without finishing, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump, and here most people don't finish.
Your major decides everything at this school. Nursing is the clear winner, with graduates earning about $58,000 , roughly $20,000 more than the business grads right behind them. If you can get into and complete the nursing program, the math works. Everything else is a gamble. Criminal justice grads earn around $29,000 while carrying $27,000 in debt , nearly a dollar of debt for every dollar of first-decade earnings gap over a non-graduate. Teacher education and human development land in the low $30,000s. Business pays a bit more but comes with the same $27,000 debt load as criminal justice.
The specific risk here is finishing at all. With a 61% retention rate, four in ten of you won't return after year one, and the debt you took on doesn't disappear when you leave.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in household income, you pay under $6,000 a year. Above $75,000, the price more than doubles to over $15,000, and above $110,000 you pay closer to $17,000 , a steep jump for the same middling earnings outcome.
This school fits you if you're aiming for nursing, or if you qualify for the lowest price tiers and have a concrete plan to graduate. If you're chasing criminal justice or business on loans, or your family pays the top-tier price, the return doesn't justify the cost. Look harder elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentucky State University worth the cost for the ROI?
Kentucky State University graduates earn $36,382 ten years after graduation with typical debt of $25,938, creating a challenging financial outlook for most programs. The low 27% graduation rate means many students take on debt without completing their degree.
What are the best paying programs at Kentucky State University?
Nursing programs at Kentucky State University offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning $53,000-$58,000 annually. Business graduates earn around $37,856, while education and human services majors typically earn $31,000-$33,000.
How much debt do Kentucky State University students graduate with?
Kentucky State University graduates carry a median debt of $25,938. With average earnings of $36,382 ten years out, this debt load represents about 71% of annual income, which is manageable but tight for most graduates.
Does Kentucky State University have good financial aid?
Kentucky State University's net price averages $8,900 per year, making it affordable upfront. However, the 27% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs despite the lower costs.