Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
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In the Bluegrass State, having a college degree pays off. Kentuckians with a bachelor’s degree earn nearly a million dollars more than those with a high school diploma over the course of their careers, according to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Kentucky online colleges make it easier to finish your degree. With flexible schedules and dozens of majors, online colleges are a great choice if you’re a busy student.
Our ranking of online colleges in Kentucky can help you find the best fit for your budget and career goals.
Related Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- In-State$11,496
- Out-of-state$30,913
- In-State$12,583
- Out-of-state$32,896
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled31,547
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$12,336
- Out-of-state$28,680
- In-State$13,944
- Out-of-state$28,906
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled22,139
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$9,708
- Out-of-state$14,742
- In-State$9,144
- Out-of-state$9,144
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled9,857
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$24,500
- Out-of-state$24,500
- In-State$7,200
- Out-of-state$7,200
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled1,881
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Cost of College in Kentucky
How much should you expect to pay for a college degree in Kentucky? The state’s public universities cost around $11,000 in tuition and fees per year, which is slightly above the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
You can save money by comparing affordable online colleges in Kentucky. By choosing to complete your degree online, you can potentially save money on tuition, living expenses, and transportation costs.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-year (In-State) | $11,107 |
| Public 4-year (Out-of-State) | $25,325 |
| Private 4-year | $27,553 |
| Public 2-year (In-State) | $4,516 |
| Public 2-year (Out-of-State) | $15,262 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Kentucky
Many of the fastest-growing jobs in Kentucky require a college degree. Kentucky’s fastest-growing occupation is nurse practitioners, with a 44% projected growth rate.
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree for in-demand roles like healthcare manager, industrial engineer, or operations research analyst. In Kentucky, these roles will grow by 20% or more over the next ten years, according to BLS projections.
Kentucky online colleges can prepare you for roles in business, healthcare, tech, and education, fields that employ hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians.
| Job | Job Growth 2021-2031 | Education Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 44% | Master’s degree |
| Statisticians | 31% | Master’s degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 28% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Physician Assistants | 26% | Master’s degree |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | 25% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Logisticians | 24% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 23% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Industrial Engineers | 22% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Operations Research Analysts | 21% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 20% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Kentucky
Kentucky’s top public colleges include the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Private institutions like Bellarmine University and Centre College are also among the best colleges in Kentucky.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 28, 2024.
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