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Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky

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2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky

22 Schools Ranked
$22,480 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,455 Avg Student Debt

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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. This report analyzed 22 schools in Kentucky to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs 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.

Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, Kentucky
$34,760 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,149 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Thomas More University to be the best school for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Kentucky.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,760 to cover tuition and fees at Thomas More. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Thomas More accumulate an average of $33,149 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Thomas More. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Thomas More University Report

#2

Bellarmine University

Louisville, Kentucky
$44,620 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,396 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 22 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellarmine University landed the # 2 spot on the list.

The average tuition and fees at Bellarmine U is $44,620. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,396 in student loans.

Bellarmine U 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 7% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bellarmine University

#3

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
$12,370 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,509 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 22 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Louisville landed the # 3 spot on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UofL is $12,370. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,716. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UofL accumulate an average of $23,509 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that UofL does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Louisville

#4

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
$12,610 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,735 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Kentucky. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

In-state students pay an average of $12,610 in tuition and fees if they attend UK full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $31,608. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,735 in student loans.

Online courses are available at UK, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Kentucky

#5

Centre College

Danville, Kentucky

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Centre College is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Read More…

#6

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
$10,392 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,974 Avg Student Debt

Northern Kentucky University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.

In-state students pay an average of $10,392 in tuition and fees if they attend NKU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,448. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,974 in student loans.

NKU 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

Asbury University

Wilmore, Kentucky
$32,652 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,330 Avg Student Debt

Asbury University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $32,652 to cover tuition and fees at Asbury. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,330 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Asbury does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Asbury University Report

#8

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia, Kentucky
$25,718 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,348 Avg Student Debt

Lindsey Wilson College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $25,718 to cover tuition and fees at Lindsey Wilson College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College accumulate an average of $24,348 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Lindsey Wilson College. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lindsey Wilson College Report

#9

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
$9,252 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,713 Avg Student Debt

Murray State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

In-state students pay an average of $9,252 in tuition and fees if they attend Murray State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,528. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Murray State accumulate an average of $23,713 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Murray State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Murray State University

#10

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
$24,984 Avg Student Debt

Western Kentucky University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.

By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,984 in student loans.

WKU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Western Kentucky University Report

#11

Midway University

Midway, Kentucky
$24,850 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,845 Avg Student Debt

Midway University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs.

Midway does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $24,850. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Midway accumulate an average of $26,845 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Midway. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Midway University Report

#12

Spalding University

Louisville, Kentucky
$26,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,730 Avg Student Debt

Spalding University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.

Spalding does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $26,500. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Spalding accumulate an average of $33,730 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Spalding does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#13

Sullivan University

Louisville, Kentucky
$37,495 Avg Student Debt

Sullivan University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.

By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,495 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sullivan University. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Sullivan University

#14

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
$9,752 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,405 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Eastern is $9,752. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,024. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,405 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Eastern does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Full Eastern Kentucky University Report

#15

Berea College

Berea, Kentucky
$43,612 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,164 Avg Student Debt

Berea College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

If you want to attend Berea, expect to pay an average of $43,612 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $7,164 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Berea 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Berea College Report

#16

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
$24,361 Avg Student Debt

University of the Cumberlands did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list.

By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,361 in student loans.

Cumberlands is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#17

Kentucky Christian University

Grayson, Kentucky
$22,130 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,035 Avg Student Debt

Kentucky Christian University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.

Kentucky Christian University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $22,130. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $29,035 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kentucky Christian University. During the 2019-2020 year, about 2% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

Morehead State University

Morehead, Kentucky
$9,462 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,271 Avg Student Debt

Morehead State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $9,462 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Morehead State University. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,106. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,271 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Morehead State University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Morehead State University

#19

Union College Kentucky

Barbourville, Kentucky
$28,889 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,216 Avg Student Debt

Union College Kentucky did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $28,889 to cover tuition and fees at Union College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Union College accumulate an average of $29,216 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Union College. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Union College Kentucky Report

#20

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky
$9,020 Average Tuition & Fees
$32,597 Avg Student Debt

Kentucky State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $9,020 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend KY State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,870. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,597 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that KY State does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Kentucky State University Report

#21

University of Pikeville

Pikeville, Kentucky
$22,650 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,323 Avg Student Debt

University of Pikeville ranked #21 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $22,650 to cover tuition and fees at UPIKE. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,323 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at UPIKE, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Pikeville

#22

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, Kentucky
$25,400 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,365 Avg Student Debt

Campbellsville University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list.

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. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,365 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Campbellsville University does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Campbellsville University Report

View Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 22 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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