At $36,431/yr net price, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates earn $46,747/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,747/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,431 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $145,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,747/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,747/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 11.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $35,694/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $35,651/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,301/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,446/yr |
| $110,001+ | $37,533/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $25,580 |
The Risk Factor
52.6% of students at Kentucky Wesleyan College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Kentucky Wesleyan College costs you about $36,000 a year net, and the median graduate earns $46,747 a decade out. That gap is the problem. You pay near full private-college price, but the earnings payoff sits in the range you'd expect from a regional public school with a much lower sticker.
The program-level numbers make it worse. Business graduates report $28,236 a year early on while carrying $25,000 in debt, and Criminal Justice graduates come in even lower at $25,580. These are two of the school's top programs by earnings, and neither clears $30,000. If your plan is a business or criminal justice degree here, you should expect a slow climb and a debt load that eats into it for years.
Two risks stand out. The 52.6% graduation rate means roughly half of you don't finish, and a 64.86% retention rate says many leave after the first year. If you drop out carrying debt and no degree, this becomes one of the worst financial outcomes available. The $23,250 median debt is manageable only if you graduate and land above the early-career numbers shown.
The net price barely moves with income. A family under $30k pays about $35,694, and a family over $110k pays $37,533 -- a difference of under $2,000. Lower-income families get almost no break here, so if you're on a tight budget, this school offers you little relief.
Kentucky Wesleyan makes financial sense if you're set on finishing, have outside scholarships or savings that cut the real cost, and want a specific program or athletic opportunity worth the premium. If you're weighing cost against earnings and could attend a Kentucky public university for less, the numbers point you elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentucky Wesleyan College worth the cost?
With graduates earning $46,747 ten years after graduation and a net price of $36,431 per year, the return on investment is weak. The low graduation rate of 53% adds significant risk to an already poor financial outcome.
What are the best paying majors at Kentucky Wesleyan College?
Business graduates earn around $28,236 annually while Criminal Justice majors make $25,580. Both figures are well below the national average for college graduates and may not justify the school's cost.
How much debt do Kentucky Wesleyan College students graduate with?
The median debt is $23,250, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, given the low starting salaries of graduates, even this amount may be difficult to repay quickly.
Does Kentucky Wesleyan College have good job placement after graduation?
The 53% graduation rate suggests many students don't complete their programs, and the $46,747 average earnings after ten years indicate limited career advancement. Students should carefully consider whether this school provides adequate career preparation for the investment required.