Information Science/Studies at University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky's Information Science program presents an interesting paradox: it significantly outperforms other Kentucky options while lagging behind national competitors. At $49,165, first-year earnings beat the state median by nearly $6,000 and place this program at the 60th percentile within Kentucky—notably ahead of Murray State and well above Northern Kentucky. For families planning to keep their student in-state, this is clearly the strongest option available.

The challenge emerges in the national comparison, where UK ranks in just the 23rd percentile. The typical Information Science graduate nationally earns about $58,000—nearly $9,000 more than UK graduates. This gap matters because tech jobs are often location-flexible, meaning UK graduates may compete directly with peers from stronger programs. The debt load of $26,000 is standard for the field, resulting in a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, but parents should recognize their student will be starting behind peers from comparable universities.

For Kentucky families committed to in-state tuition, this program makes sense—it's the clear leader statewide and the debt burden is reasonable. However, if your student can access out-of-state programs at similar net costs, or if they're considering competitive tech markets where starting salary matters, the earnings gap becomes harder to justify. The program works best for students who value UK's broader campus experience and plan to launch their careers within Kentucky's job market.