Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
Earn your degree online in the Bluegrass State. Learn about the 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.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
How We Rank Schools
University of Kentucky
- Lexington, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Kentucky’s largest college also offers online degrees. At the University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, you’ll pay the same tuition rate regardless of your residency status when enrolled in UK Online. The public university offers flexible online programs that support students with success coaches and learning services.
Choose from over 80 fully online programs, including business, criminal justice, engineering, and healthcare. You can also explore information sciences, agriculture, or art as a distance learner. Most classes do not require set meeting times, giving you maximum flexibility in your schedule.
43%
$11,496
85%
$30,913
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Students Enrolled
- 31,547
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Louisville
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Located between downtown Louisville and historic Churchill Downs, the University of Louisville enrolls more than 23,000 students. You can earn your degree online at the public university without ever visiting campus.
UofL Online offers bachelor’s, master’s and certificate programs. Explore fields like communication, healthcare leadership, or political science as an online student. You can also design your own course of study and maximize transfer credits with a general studies major. With more than 60 program options, you can find one that matches your academic interests and career goals.
55%
$12,336
81%
$28,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Students Enrolled
- 22,139
- Institution Type
- Public
Murray State University
- Murray, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Founded in 1922, Murray State is a public institution in western Kentucky, in a small town just north of the Tennessee border. You can also enroll in its online programs.
Earn your undergraduate degree online with 12 majors, including agribusiness, computer information systems, human services, or social work. Murray State also offers 19 online master’s programs and three online doctorates. If you live in a Southern or Midwestern state, you may qualify for the public college’s regional tuition discount, which offers a significant discount on out-of-state tuition.
49%
$ 9,708
76%
$14,742
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,857
- Institution Type
- Public
Midway University
- Midway, KY
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
A private liberal arts college located on a 200-acre campus with a working horse farm, Midway University stands out for its flexible programs for busy students. Its campus is located just 15 minutes outside Lexington, but you can also enroll in its online programs.
You can earn a degree in accounting, criminal justice, education, or finance. Or choose a unique option like a minor in equine business or bourbon studies. The interdisciplinary studies program lets you customize a degree, while online graduate programs in business administration and education allow you to advance in your field.
76%
$24,500
74%
$24,500
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,881
- Institution Type
- Private
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.
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