The state of Kentucky has some prominent public colleges including the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. There are also many small private schools that have long traditions of academic excellence. Kentucky has faith-based colleges representing the Catholic, Methodists, and other Christian denominations. In combination, students have a wide choice of fields of study and learning environments.

Further, Kentucky’s education options include attendance at some out-of-state schools, at in-state rates. Kentucky is a member of the Academic Common Market, which includes Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

kentucky_map_university

How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree in Kentucky


The exact figures or salary averages may differ by the source of information, but the overall conclusion is firm. Income rises with the level of education. Over the course of a lifetime of earning, a worker with a bachelor’s degree can return about $1 million greater income than a high school graduate. The annual income advantage is about $17,500 per year. The direct relationship between income and educational attainment matches at the baccalaureate, master’s, and professional degree levels. Medical professionals are among the most well-educated members of the workforce, and they have the highest average income among all occupational groups.

Income advantages also include entrepreneurship. Professional earnings are not just from employment; education also opens vast opportunities for application of college-level education in entrepreneurial settings.

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$36,816* $46,748* $55,016* $77,636* $90,324* $109,668*

Featured Online Programs

Top 15 Best Associate Degree Programs in Kentucky


1

Madisonville Community College

Score: 83.19

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $7,738
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,493
  • Undergrad Students: 3,493
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $33,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Madisonville Community College
2

Gateway Community and Technical College

Score: 82.26

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $9,263
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,440
  • Undergrad Students: 4,440
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $38,300
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Gateway Community and Technical College
3

Hazard Community and Technical College

Score: 80.3

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $5,391
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,556
  • Undergrad Students: 2,556
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $34,600
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Hazard Community and Technical College
4

Maysville Community and Technical College

Score: 78.72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $5,736
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,974
  • Undergrad Students: 3,974
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,300
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Maysville Community and Technical College
5

Owensboro Community and Technical College

Score: 77.81

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $7,640
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,621
  • Undergrad Students: 4,621
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • Owensboro Community and Technical College
6

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

Score: 77.3

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $7,448
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,732
  • Undergrad Students: 4,732
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
7

Ashland Community and Technical College

Score: 77.03

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $6,658
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,515
  • Undergrad Students: 2,515
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $31,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Ashland Community and Technical College
8
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,706
    • Out-of-State:$6,242
  • Net Price: $7,721
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,318
  • Undergrad Students: 10,318
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $38,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Bluegrass Community and Technical College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
9

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Score: 76.87

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $7,236
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,648
  • Undergrad Students: 5,648
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,200
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
10

Jefferson Community and Technical College

Score: 76.16

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,706
    • Out-of-State:$6,242
  • Net Price: $7,530
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 58%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 12,053
  • Undergrad Students: 12,053
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $39,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • Jefferson Community and Technical College
11

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Score: 75.76

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $8,090
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,309
  • Undergrad Students: 5,309
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • West Kentucky Community and Technical College
12

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

Score: 75.65

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $4,532
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,625
  • Undergrad Students: 2,625
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $34,700
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
13
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $5,611
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 58%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,529
  • Undergrad Students: 5,529
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $30,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Somerset Community College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
14

Hopkinsville Community College

Score: 72.65

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $7,645
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,028
  • Undergrad Students: 2,028
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,600
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Hopkinsville Community College
15
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State:$6,192
  • Net Price: $6,721
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 53%
  • Graduation Rate: 34%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,506
  • Undergrad Students: 1,506
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Henderson Community College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

Top 25 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky


1

Berea College

Score: 84.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $49,326
    • Out-of-State:$49,326
  • Net Price: $2,020
  • Acceptance Rate: 25%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,433
  • Undergrad Students: 1,433
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Berea College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2

Centre College

Score: 76.69

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $50,550
    • Out-of-State:$50,550
  • Net Price: $23,584
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 87%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,357
  • Undergrad Students: 1,357
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Centre College
3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,896
    • Out-of-State:$21,480
  • Net Price: $7,259
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 15,801
  • Undergrad Students: 10,776
  • Graduate Students: 5,025
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Northern Kentucky University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,708
    • Out-of-State:$19,452
  • Net Price: $11,042
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 58%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,479
  • Undergrad Students: 7,679
  • Graduate Students: 1,800
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Murray State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,212
    • Out-of-State:$33,406
  • Net Price: $18,693
  • Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,547
  • Undergrad Students: 22,735
  • Graduate Students: 8,812
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Kentucky
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
6

Transylvania University

Score: 72.02

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $44,980
    • Out-of-State:$44,980
  • Net Price: $25,767
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 979
  • Undergrad Students: 979
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Transylvania University
7
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,828
    • Out-of-State:$29,174
  • Net Price: $19,327
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 22,017
  • Undergrad Students: 15,921
  • Graduate Students: 6,096
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • University of Louisville
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
8
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,130
    • Out-of-State:$20,820
  • Net Price: $10,806
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,324
  • Undergrad Students: 12,072
  • Graduate Students: 2,252
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Eastern Kentucky University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
9

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Score: 68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $33,393
    • Out-of-State:$33,393
  • Net Price: $20,735
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Retention Rate: 57%
  • Graduation Rate: 48%
  • Total Enrollment: 813
  • Undergrad Students: 813
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College
10
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $47,180
    • Out-of-State:$47,180
  • Net Price: $22,813
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,970
  • Undergrad Students: 2,343
  • Graduate Students: 627
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Bellarmine University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
11

Georgetown College

Score: 67.42

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $42,010
    • Out-of-State:$42,010
  • Net Price: $15,152
  • Acceptance Rate: 72%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,548
  • Undergrad Students: 1,233
  • Graduate Students: 315
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Georgetown College
12
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,838
    • Out-of-State:$14,706
  • Net Price: $10,991
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,807
  • Undergrad Students: 8,215
  • Graduate Students: 592
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Morehead State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
13

Asbury University

Score: 67.06

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $33,640
    • Out-of-State:$33,640
  • Net Price: $21,506
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 70%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,650
  • Undergrad Students: 1,404
  • Graduate Students: 246
  • Grads Salary: $59,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Asbury University
14

Brescia University

Score: 66.49

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $30,450
    • Out-of-State:$30,450
  • Net Price: $16,127
  • Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 646
  • Undergrad Students: 551
  • Graduate Students: 95
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Brescia University
15
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,436
    • Out-of-State:$27,000
  • Net Price: $12,625
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,493
  • Undergrad Students: 14,440
  • Graduate Students: 2,053
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Western Kentucky University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
16
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $38,400
    • Out-of-State:$38,400
  • Net Price: $21,962
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,958
  • Undergrad Students: 1,829
  • Graduate Students: 129
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Thomas More University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
17
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,875
    • Out-of-State:$9,875
  • Net Price: $14,337
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 18,053
  • Undergrad Students: 5,174
  • Graduate Students: 12,879
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of the Cumberlands
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
18
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,214
    • Out-of-State:$13,260
  • Net Price: $11,473
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 53%
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,726
  • Undergrad Students: 1,610
  • Graduate Students: 116
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Kentucky State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
19

Union College

Score: 61.1

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $30,946
    • Out-of-State:$30,946
  • Net Price: $18,221
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 59%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 970
  • Undergrad Students: 724
  • Graduate Students: 246
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Union College
20

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Score: 60.81

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,086
    • Out-of-State:$13,086
  • Net Price: $17,299
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,266
  • Undergrad Students: 1,018
  • Graduate Students: 3,248
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
21

Spalding University

Score: 59.78

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $27,850
    • Out-of-State:$27,850
  • Net Price: $26,539
  • Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,532
  • Undergrad Students: 767
  • Graduate Students: 765
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Spalding University
22

Midway University

Score: 57.11

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $26,080
    • Out-of-State:$26,080
  • Net Price: $22,848
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,441
  • Undergrad Students: 1,203
  • Graduate Students: 238
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Midway University
23

Sullivan University

Score: 56.98

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,220
    • Out-of-State:$14,220
  • Net Price: $19,537
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 27%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,309
  • Undergrad Students: 1,844
  • Graduate Students: 465
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Sullivan University
24
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $26,990
    • Out-of-State:$26,990
  • Net Price: $20,987
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 60%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,775
  • Undergrad Students: 6,411
  • Graduate Students: 5,364
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • Campbellsville University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
25

Lindsey Wilson College

Score: 53.55

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $27,274
    • Out-of-State:$27,274
  • Net Price: $13,056
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,159
  • Undergrad Students: 1,753
  • Graduate Students: 1,406
  • Grads Salary: $50,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Lindsey Wilson College

Top 20 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,896
    • Out-of-State:$21,480
  • Net Price: $7,259
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 15,801
  • Undergrad Students: 10,776
  • Graduate Students: 5,025
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Northern Kentucky University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,708
    • Out-of-State:$19,452
  • Net Price: $11,042
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 58%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,479
  • Undergrad Students: 7,679
  • Graduate Students: 1,800
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Murray State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,212
    • Out-of-State:$33,406
  • Net Price: $18,693
  • Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,547
  • Undergrad Students: 22,735
  • Graduate Students: 8,812
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Kentucky
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,130
    • Out-of-State:$20,820
  • Net Price: $10,806
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,324
  • Undergrad Students: 12,072
  • Graduate Students: 2,252
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Eastern Kentucky University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,828
    • Out-of-State:$29,174
  • Net Price: $19,327
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 22,017
  • Undergrad Students: 15,921
  • Graduate Students: 6,096
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • University of Louisville
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
6
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,838
    • Out-of-State:$14,706
  • Net Price: $10,991
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,807
  • Undergrad Students: 8,215
  • Graduate Students: 592
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Morehead State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
7

Asbury University

Score: 73.98

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $33,640
    • Out-of-State:$33,640
  • Net Price: $21,506
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 70%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,650
  • Undergrad Students: 1,404
  • Graduate Students: 246
  • Grads Salary: $59,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Asbury University
8

Georgetown College

Score: 73.71

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $42,010
    • Out-of-State:$42,010
  • Net Price: $15,152
  • Acceptance Rate: 72%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,548
  • Undergrad Students: 1,233
  • Graduate Students: 315
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Georgetown College
9
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $47,180
    • Out-of-State:$47,180
  • Net Price: $22,813
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,970
  • Undergrad Students: 2,343
  • Graduate Students: 627
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Bellarmine University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
10

Brescia University

Score: 73.09

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $30,450
    • Out-of-State:$30,450
  • Net Price: $16,127
  • Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 646
  • Undergrad Students: 551
  • Graduate Students: 95
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Brescia University
11
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,436
    • Out-of-State:$27,000
  • Net Price: $12,625
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,493
  • Undergrad Students: 14,440
  • Graduate Students: 2,053
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Western Kentucky University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
12
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,875
    • Out-of-State:$9,875
  • Net Price: $14,337
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 18,053
  • Undergrad Students: 5,174
  • Graduate Students: 12,879
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of the Cumberlands
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
13
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $38,400
    • Out-of-State:$38,400
  • Net Price: $21,962
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,958
  • Undergrad Students: 1,829
  • Graduate Students: 129
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Thomas More University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
14
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,214
    • Out-of-State:$13,260
  • Net Price: $11,473
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 53%
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,726
  • Undergrad Students: 1,610
  • Graduate Students: 116
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Kentucky State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
15

Union College

Score: 66.49

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $30,946
    • Out-of-State:$30,946
  • Net Price: $18,221
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 59%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 970
  • Undergrad Students: 724
  • Graduate Students: 246
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Union College
16

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Score: 66.15

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,086
    • Out-of-State:$13,086
  • Net Price: $17,299
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,266
  • Undergrad Students: 1,018
  • Graduate Students: 3,248
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
17

Spalding University

Score: 63.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $27,850
    • Out-of-State:$27,850
  • Net Price: $26,539
  • Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,532
  • Undergrad Students: 767
  • Graduate Students: 765
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Spalding University
18

Midway University

Score: 61.44

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $26,080
    • Out-of-State:$26,080
  • Net Price: $22,848
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 43%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,441
  • Undergrad Students: 1,203
  • Graduate Students: 238
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Midway University
19

Sullivan University

Score: 60.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,220
    • Out-of-State:$14,220
  • Net Price: $19,537
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 27%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,309
  • Undergrad Students: 1,844
  • Graduate Students: 465
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Sullivan University
20

Lindsey Wilson College

Score: 58.89

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $27,274
    • Out-of-State:$27,274
  • Net Price: $13,056
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,159
  • Undergrad Students: 1,753
  • Graduate Students: 1,406
  • Grads Salary: $50,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Lindsey Wilson College

Cost of Kentucky College Education & Salaries


Kentucky public schools charge for credits using a two-tiered system of in-state versus out-of-state rates. This policy recognizes the support from residents for the state’s educational institutions. Kentucky has a high percentage of private colleges that charge one rate for all students. In-state tuition offers a substantial reduction from the out-of-state rate. When students seek a major that they cannot find in Kentucky, they may be able to attend a school in a nearby state while still paying the Kentucky in-state rate. This is because they are a part of the Academic Common Market, which includes several nearby states and allows students the freedom to earn their degree in those nearby states for in-state prices.

Kentucky schools offer a wide variety of learning environments and some unique approaches to education and access. Berea College, for example, has a tuition guarantee scholarship that applies to every student. The policy guarantees that every student will participate without paying tuition directly. For a typical student, this scholarship covers about $100,000 in tuition and fees.

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Tuition Cost Analysis - In-state vs. National


Average Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $10,674

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State Tuition – $25,430

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

The costs of education are an investment in a brighter economic future. The costs may be a barrier for some families, and their choice of schools may be limited by their means. However, financial aid can change the equation in the student’s favor. Students can even qualify for grants and scholarships that do not require repayment.

Forty percent of grant applicants received funding in Kentucky, which is slightly higher than the national average of 38 percent. Kentucky also ranks 37th in financial aid per recipient, below the national average by about 10%. The State has the Kentucky College Access Program grant. The CAP grant helps resource-challenged students by providing up to $1,900 per year towards tuition and fees. The state awards funds on a first come basis, and there are no guaranteed participation provisions.

Nearly every public and private college in Kentucky participates in this grant program.

Financial Aid Kentucky Nationally
Received Federal Grants 40% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $9,714 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Scholarships for Kentucky Students


The State of Kentucky has a state-financed basic educational grant. The private sector has also acted to award financial assistance to deserving students through a variety of corporate and business association scholarships. The list below describes some of the leading scholarships for Kentucky students.

KGCSA_logo

KGCSA

Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association Inc

https://www.kgcsa.org/index.php/scholarships-awards/legacy-scholarship
Amount: $1,000 (5 Awards)
Deadline: May 1
The Kentucky Grocers Education Foundation Scholarship assists students that are employees, children, or grandchildren of employees of a member company. The student’s connection must be with a Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store Association Inc. (KGCSA) member company in good standing. The member stores may also award a piggyback scholarship to their employees in addition to the Association award.

KCGAS

Kentucky Corn Growers Association Scholarship

www.kycorn.org
Amount: $1,000 (2 awards) or $2,000 (1 award)
Deadline: March 15
Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors, or a current college student enrolled in an accredited college or university. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field. The student or their parent/guardian must be a Kentucky Corn Grower Association member. The award criteria look at extra-curricular activities, community engagement, and academic performance.

AAF_logo

AAF

American Advertising Federation – Louisville

www.aaflouisville.org/scholarship
Amount: $2,500 (2 Awards)
Deadline: March 1
Eligible students must intend to enter the field of advertising. Applicants must be in an associate degree or technical certificate program with at least 30 completed semester hours or be a junior or senior in a four-year degree program with at least 60 completed semester hours. These requirements must be met as of the time of application, and students must carry a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must be residents of Kentucky and engaged in pursuing a degree in a field related to advertising, marketing, or marketing communications. Eligible majors include communications, mass communication, journalism, print advertising, public relations, marketing, business communications, graphic arts, computer design, multimedia technology, and English.

HAKS

Horatio Alger Kentucky Scholarship

https://scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/state-scholarships/
Amount: $10,000 (10 Awards)
Deadline: October 25
High school students in their final year can apply for the Alger Association scholarship if they are US citizens, legal residents, and intend to enroll at a US college or university. Students must demonstrate financial need and have a family income of $55,000 or less. The program seeks to reward students that have faced adversities and overcome them through effort. The program grants priority for students actively involved in extra-curricular activities and community contributions. Students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher. Students may begin studies at a two-year institution and then move to a four-year school.

ABSBMAS

ABAK Buena S. Bond Memorial Agriculture Scholarship

www.kyagbusiness.org
Amount: $1,000 (4 awards per year)
Deadline: March 31
The AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky Scholarship is based on merit and financial need. At least one of the four awards must go to a currently enrolled college student. Eligible students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a public or private vocational school, college, or university. The awards must go to Kentucky residents with a declared major in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. The applicant must research the assigned topics and complete the technical application requirements, namely: two letters of recommendation, the most recent official transcript, an official acceptance letter or proof or enrollment, and three 500-word essays on the designated subjects.

HWAMS

Howard E. and Wilma J. Adkins Memorial Scholarship

www.aws.org/foundation/scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: February 15
This scholarship program has a preference for students that reside or attend school in Kentucky or Wisconsin. Eligible students must attend or plan to attend a US institution, be a legal US resident, or US citizen. The award requires students to be a junior or senior pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. The applicants must have a 3.2 GPA on a four-point scale in engineering and science subjects and an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher.

KHAS

Kentucky Housing Association Scholarship

http://www.kyhousingassn.com/Portals/33/2018Updates/2018%20APPLICATION%20KIT.pdf?ver=2018-03-27-134601-800
Amount: up to $2,500
Deadline: March 31
Eligible applicants must be residents of a low-rent public housing program managed by a public housing authority or a HUD Section 8 Program. The program accepts current college students, high school seniors, recent graduates, and holders of a GED from an accredited educational agency. All applicants must meet the income requirements as defined by HUD for housing. Applicants must have a sponsor that is an active member of the Kentucky Housing Association. The program awards four scholarships. One award is a one-year non-renewable $2,500 payment. Three additional awards for $750 per year may be renewed for up to four years.

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