Best Online Colleges in Kentucky

Earn your degree online in the Bluegrass State. Learn about the best online colleges in Kentucky.
Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
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Updated March 22, 2024
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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.

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In this Article
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Best Online Colleges in Kentucky

#1

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

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

#2

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

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

#3

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, 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

#4

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, 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

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.

Cost of College in Kentucky in 2021-2022
Institution TypeAverage 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
Source: NCES

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.

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Kentucky
JobJob Growth 2021-2031Education Level Required
Nurse Practitioners44%Master’s degree
Statisticians31%Master’s degree
Medical and Health Services Managers28%Bachelor’s degree
Physician Assistants26%Master’s degree
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors25%Bachelor’s degree
Logisticians24%Bachelor’s degree
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes23%Bachelor’s degree
Industrial Engineers22%Bachelor’s degree
Operations Research Analysts21%Bachelor’s degree
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary20%Doctoral or professional degree
Source: Kentucky Center for Statistics

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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