Head-to-head · 2026
Centre College vs University of Kentucky
Compare average net price ($20,781 at Centre College; $18,851 at University of Kentucky), ROI score (7.97 vs 7.83), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($66,240 vs $59,025), and admissions selectivity (54.4% acceptance at Centre College; 92.9% at University of Kentucky) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Centre College | University of Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.97 ✓ | 7.83 |
| Avg net price | $20,781 | $18,851 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $83,124 | $75,404 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $52,820 | $13,502 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $52,820 | $34,140 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $66,240 ✓ | $59,025 |
| Acceptance rate | 54.4% | 92.9% |
| Graduation rate | 80.7% ✓ | 71.4% |
| Retention rate | 87.5% ✓ | 86.8% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $22,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,400 | 24,763 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1352 | 1215 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Centre College | University of Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,364 ✓ | $12,182 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,388 ✓ | $12,119 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,847 ✓ | $16,313 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,920 ✓ | $21,192 |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,571 | $26,781 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Centre College | University of Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15.1% | 0.6% |
| Psychology, General | 7.4% | 3.2% |
| Biology, General | 6.6% | 2.3% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.7% | 1.4% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6.6% | 0.4% |
| International/Globalization Studies | 6.6% | 0.4% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 6.3% | 0.1% |
| History | 5.4% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Kentucky reports the lower average net price by $1,930 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,720 difference over four years ($75,404 vs $83,124).
Centre College reports $7,215 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,240 vs $59,025). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 87.5% at Centre College and 86.8% at University of Kentucky. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $22,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Centre College vs University of Kentucky, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Kentucky is cheaper — average net price $18,851 per year vs $20,781 at Centre College. The annual difference of $1,930 adds up to about $7,720 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Centre College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,240 vs $59,025 at University of Kentucky. The gap in the federal data is $7,215. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Centre College is more selective at 54.4% acceptance vs 92.9% at University of Kentucky.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.