University of Kentucky vs Centre College: which has better ROI?
Centre College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,124 in 4.6 years versus 7.1 years at University of Kentucky, on median earnings of $66,240 vs $59,025 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Kentucky | Centre College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,851 | $20,781 |
| Total net cost | $75,404 | $83,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,025 | $66,240 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $137,896 | $274,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Kentucky or Centre College?
University of Kentucky, at $18,851 a year after aid versus $20,781 — a gap of $1,930 a year, or $7,720 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Kentucky or Centre College graduates earn more?
Centre College graduates report a median $66,240 ten years after entry, $7,215 more than the $59,025 at University of Kentucky. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Kentucky or Centre College?
University of Kentucky: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Centre College, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Centre College, against 71% at University of Kentucky. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.