2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Our analysis looked at 28 schools in Kentucky to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bluegrass Community and Technical College to be the best school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Kentucky.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,320. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,015 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
The excellent associate degree programs at Thomas More University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Kentucky.
Thomas More does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $34,760. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Thomas More does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 28 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Jefferson Community and Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list.
Students from Kentucky who attend Jefferson Community and Technical College full time pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,320. Associate Degree recipients from Jefferson Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $19,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Jefferson Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
The excellent associate degree programs at Western Kentucky University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Kentucky.
On average, associate degree students take out $25,980 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WKU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Kentucky University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $10,392 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NKU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,448. On average, associate degree students take out $22,426 in loans while pursuing their degree.
NKU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #6, Eastern Kentucky University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Students from Kentucky who attend Eastern full time pay an average of $9,752 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,024. Associate Degree recipients from Eastern accumulate an average of $24,515 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Eastern does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Sullivan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list.
Associate Degree recipients from Sullivan University accumulate an average of $25,771 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Sullivan University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Gateway Community and Technical College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Gateway is $4,568. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,320. Associate Degree recipients from Gateway accumulate an average of $20,591 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Gateway. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $16,810 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
University of the Cumberlands landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
If you are interested in distance education, Cumberlands is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
With a ranking of #11, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SKYCTC is $4,488. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. Associate Degree recipients from SKYCTC accumulate an average of $19,042 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that SKYCTC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Full Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they attend Hopkinsville Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,125 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hopkinsville Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Owensboro Community and Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Owensboro Community and Technical College is $4,488. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,529 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Owensboro Community and Technical College. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #14, Beckfield College - Florence did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,295 to cover tuition and fees at Beckfield College - Florence. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,171 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, Beckfield College - Florence is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Madisonville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Madisonville Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. Associate Degree recipients from Madisonville Community College accumulate an average of $15,192 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Madisonville Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Murray State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $9,252 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Murray State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,528.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Murray State. In 2019-2020 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Somerset Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Students from Kentucky who attend SCC full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. Associate Degree recipients from SCC accumulate an average of $17,345 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that SCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #18, West Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Students from Kentucky who attend West Kentucky Community and Technical College full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,306 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, Henderson Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they attend Henderson Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $19,894 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Henderson Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Morehead State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $9,462 in tuition and fees if they attend Morehead State University full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,106. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,422 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Morehead State University. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Daymar College - Bowling Green landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
On average, associate degree students take out $26,877 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Daymar College - Bowling Green is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they attend Big Sandy Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,652 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Ashland Community and Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ACTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. Associate Degree recipients from ACTC accumulate an average of $15,652 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ACTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Campbellsville University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Campbellsville University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $25,400. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,794 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Campbellsville University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southeast. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $15,824 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Southeast, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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