University of Kentucky — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Kentucky charges a net price of $18,851/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $75,404. Graduates earn a median $59,025 ten years after entry, $10,665/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.1 years — a 20-year net return of $137,896, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Kentucky's 7.1-year payback ranks #626 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 51% of them, and #5 of 51 in Kentucky.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,851/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $75,404 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $59,025 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $10,665/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $137,896 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Kentucky's own numbers. Net price $18,851 × 4 years = $75,404 total. Median earnings $59,025 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $10,665 a year of premium. $75,404 ÷ $10,665 = 7.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $137,896. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Kentucky students graduate with?
A median $22,500 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $59,025 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Kentucky students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $75,404 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $106,203 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Kentucky expensive compared with other Kentucky colleges?
Its $18,851 net price runs $4,744 above the $14,107 median across the 51 Kentucky colleges we profile, or $18,976 more across the full degree.