Best Colleges in Kentucky

The higher education experts at BestColleges.com have reviewed top 4-year colleges in Kentucky. Start planning your future at BestColleges.com

Updated October 31, 2024

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Individuals of all backgrounds are increasingly pursuing higher education due to the importance of advanced certificates and degrees to long-term professional success. The National Center for Education Statistics projects that the undergraduate student population in the U.S. will grow from 16.8 million in 2017 to 17.2 million by 2028. With the plethora of degree options, finding the right school for your academic interests and career goals can prove overwhelming.

This guide assists your search by detailing the 25 best colleges in Kentucky. The rankings below cover program offerings, financial aid availability, and student resources such as study abroad opportunities and career guidance. You will also learn about each college’s general admissions criteria. If a school interests you, contact the relevant admissions specialists. These counselors can help you navigate the enrollment process and apply for scholarships and grants.

In this Article

Best Accredited Colleges in Kentucky

Berea College

Berea, KY4 yearCampus

$44,300

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$44,300

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

25%

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

1,433

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$44,300

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$44,300

Berea College

Berea, KY4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$44,300

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$44,300

Acceptance Rate

25%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

1,433

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY4 yearCampus + Online

$12,336

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,680

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

55%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,944

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,906

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

22,139

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,336

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,680

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,336

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,680

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

55%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,944

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,906

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

22,139

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Simmons College of Kentucky

Louisville, KY4 yearCampus

$16,008

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,008

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

67%

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

61%

Students Enrolled

237

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,008

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,008

Simmons College of Kentucky

Louisville, KY4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,008

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,008

Acceptance Rate

67%

Online Enrollment

77%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

61%

Students Enrolled

237

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Centre College

Danville, KY4 yearCampus

$48,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

63%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

1,357

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$48,070

Centre College

Danville, KY4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$48,070

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

1,357

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY4 yearCampus + Online

$10,512

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$21,096

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

63%

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,210

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

14,964

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,512

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,096

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,512

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,096

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment

74%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,210

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

14,964

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Alice Lloyd College

Pippa Passes, KY4 yearCampus

$12,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

98%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

55%

Students Enrolled

565

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,000

Alice Lloyd College

Pippa Passes, KY4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,000

Acceptance Rate

98%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

55%

Students Enrolled

565

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY4 yearCampus + Online

$11,496

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,913

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

95%

Acceptance Rate

43%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,583

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,896

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

31,547

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,496

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,913

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,496

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,913

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

43%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,583

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,896

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

31,547

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Midway University

Midway, KY2 yearCampus + Online

$24,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,200

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,881

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,500

Midway University

Midway, KY2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,500

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

76%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,200

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,881

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Murray State University

Murray, KY4 yearCampus + Online

$9,708

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,144

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,144

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

9,857

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,708

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,742

Murray State University

Murray, KY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,708

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,742

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,144

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,144

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

9,857

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Click here to see the best community colleges in Kentucky.

By attending a Kentucky college, you stand to benefit from the state’s growing economy, particularly in the transportation, health services, and tourism and hospitality industries. The manufacturing sector is another major job provider, employing over 13% of the state’s workforce in 2019. In addition to ample career opportunities, Kentucky boasts a relatively low cost of living. Even in metropolitan areas like Louisville, living expenses fall 8% below the national average.