Best colleges for Economics in Kentucky
Ranked by graduate earnings
Centre College, University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University award the most Economics degrees in Kentucky: 44, 34 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Kentucky colleges offer Economics and award 152 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centre College Danville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,077 | 44 | 81% | $18,407 | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,713 | 34 | 71% | — | $26,942 |
| 3 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $53,857 | 15 | 56% | — | $19,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Economics degrees in Kentucky
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centre College Danville Private not-for-profit | 44 | $51,077 |
| 2 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public | 34 | $41,713 |
| 3 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public | 15 | $53,857 |
| 4 | Murray State University Murray Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Louisville Louisville Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Bellarmine University Louisville Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | Berea College Berea Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Georgetown College Georgetown Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Kentucky colleges offering Economics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas More University | Crestview Hills | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Transylvania University | Lexington | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Economists (SOC 19-3011).
Top skills
What Economists earn in Kentucky
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Economics programs in Kentucky.
Which Kentucky colleges award the most Economics degrees?+
Centre College (44 graduates a year), University of Kentucky (34 graduates a year) and Western Kentucky University (15 graduates a year) award the most Economics degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Kentucky colleges offer Economics.
Which Economics program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Centre College tops the list at $51,077. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Economists earn in Kentucky?+
The average annual wage for Economists in Kentucky is $83,920 (median $71,400), across about 100 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Economics program?+
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Economists?+
The national job outlook is about +1.2% growth with around 900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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