Best Colleges in Kentucky
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.
Best Accredited Colleges in Kentucky
- In-State$44,300
- Out-of-state$44,300
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate25%
- Students Enrolled1,433
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment1%
- 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
Simmons College of Kentucky
Louisville, KY- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$16,008
- Out-of-state$16,008
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled237
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$48,070
- Out-of-state$48,070
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled1,357
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$10,512
- Out-of-state$21,096
- In-State$9,900
- Out-of-state$15,210
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled14,964
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate55%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled565
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
- 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$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
- 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
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2020. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
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.
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