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Best Schools in Kentucky

2023 Best Schools in Kentucky

38 Schools Ranked
$44,999 Average Earnings
$24,121 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.

The Best Schools in Kentucky ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 38 schools in Kentucky to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Kentucky

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

4,808 Total Awards
$44,431 Average Earnings
$15,640 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Bluegrass Community and Technical College to be the best school for students in Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,808 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,640 in student loans.After graduating from Bluegrass Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,431 during the early years of their career.

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4,318 Total Awards
$44,346 Average Earnings
$12,961 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Jefferson Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Kentucky. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 4,318 degrees in .

On average, students take out $12,961 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,346 during the early year of their career.

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#3

Bellarmine University

Louisville, Kentucky
1,018 Total Awards
$46,024 Average Earnings
$30,723 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bellarmine University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Schools in Kentucky list. Bellarmine U is located in Louisville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 1,018 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $30,723 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Bellarmine U graduates make an average of $46,024 annually.

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3,648 Total Awards
$45,486 Average Earnings
$9,897 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Schools in Kentucky list. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky that handed out 3,648 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,897 in student loans.After graduating from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,486 during the early years of their career.

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#5

Georgetown College

Georgetown, Kentucky
325 Total Awards
$43,752 Average Earnings
$27,517 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgetown College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Georgetown, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 325 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Georgetown College accumulate an average of $27,517 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Georgetown College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,752 during the early year of their career.

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#6

Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, Kentucky
421 Total Awards
$57,440 Average Earnings
$20,123 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Thomas More University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 421 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,123 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Thomas More graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,440 during the early year of their career.

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#7

Centre College

Danville, Kentucky
341 Total Awards
$32,327 Average Earnings

Centre College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kentucky ranking. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Danville, Kentucky that handed out 341 degrees in .

After graduating from Centre College of Kentucky, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,327 during the early years of their career.

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#8

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
5,914 Total Awards
$58,534 Average Earnings
$28,852 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, University of Louisville did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the large public school handed out 5,914 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,852 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UofL graduates make an average of $58,534 annually.

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#9

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
9,834 Total Awards
$49,568 Average Earnings
$46,208 Avg Student Debt

University of Kentucky did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the large public school awarded 9,834 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $46,208 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UK graduates make an average of $49,568 annually.

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3,246 Total Awards
$46,993 Average Earnings
$14,133 Avg Student Debt

Gateway Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Florence, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 3,246 degrees in .

On average, students take out $14,133 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Gateway, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,993 during the early years of their career.

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#11

Spalding University

Louisville, Kentucky
552 Total Awards
$51,978 Average Earnings
$24,132 Avg Student Debt

Spalding University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 552 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,132 in student loans.After graduating from Spalding, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,978 during the early years of their career.

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#12

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
3,885 Total Awards
$52,565 Average Earnings
$23,948 Avg Student Debt

Northern Kentucky University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 3,885 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,948 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,565 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Asbury University

Wilmore, Kentucky
387 Total Awards
$50,086 Average Earnings
$33,563 Avg Student Debt

Asbury University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Asbury is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wilmore, Kentucky. It awarded 387 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Asbury accumulate an average of $33,563 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Asbury graduates make an average of $50,086 annually.

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#14

Madisonville Community College

Madisonville, Kentucky
1,658 Total Awards
$41,084 Average Earnings
$10,135 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Madisonville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. This small public school is located in Madisonville, Kentucky, and it awarded 1,658 degrees in .

On average, students take out $10,135 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Madisonville Community College graduates make an average of $41,084 annually.

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#15

Sullivan University

Louisville, Kentucky
728 Total Awards
$54,104 Average Earnings
$22,205 Avg Student Debt

Sullivan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kentucky ranking. Sullivan University is a small private for-profit school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 728 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,205 in student loans.After graduating from Sullivan University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,104 during the early years of their career.

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#16

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia, Kentucky
817 Total Awards
$37,808 Average Earnings
$12,261 Avg Student Debt

Lindsey Wilson College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Columbia, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 817 degrees in .

On average, students take out $12,261 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Lindsey Wilson College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,808 during the early years of their career.

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#17

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
4,154 Total Awards
$44,778 Average Earnings
$24,930 Avg Student Debt

Western Kentucky University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Schools in Kentucky list. WKU is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,154 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,930 in student loans.After graduating from WKU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,778 during the early years of their career.

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#18

Beckfield College - Florence

Florence, Kentucky
193 Total Awards
$51,441 Average Earnings
$13,912 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Beckfield College - Florence did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. This very small private for-profit school is located in Florence, Kentucky, and it awarded 193 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,912 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Beckfield College - Florence graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,441 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
2,350 Total Awards
$48,423 Average Earnings
$21,566 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Murray State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Murray, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,350 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Murray State accumulate an average of $21,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Murray State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,423 during the early year of their career.

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3,085 Total Awards
$42,892 Average Earnings
$12,359 Avg Student Debt

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 3,085 degrees in .

On average, students take out $12,359 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SKYCTC graduates make an average of $42,892 annually.

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2,512 Total Awards
$31,903 Average Earnings
$13,726 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, West Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Paducah, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,512 students in .

On average, students take out $13,726 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $31,903 annually.

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#22

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
3,482 Total Awards
$43,891 Average Earnings
$23,676 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 3,482 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,676 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Eastern graduates make an average of $43,891 annually.

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#23

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
5,659 Total Awards
$50,547 Average Earnings
$16,972 Avg Student Debt

University of the Cumberlands came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kentucky ranking. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and it awarded 5,659 degrees in .

On average, students take out $16,972 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Cumberlands graduates make an average of $50,547 annually.

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#24

Somerset Community College

Somerset, Kentucky
2,672 Total Awards
$35,340 Average Earnings
$13,496 Avg Student Debt

Somerset Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kentucky ranking. SCC is located in Somerset, Kentucky and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,672 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from SCC accumulate an average of $13,496 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,340 during the early year of their career.

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#25

Berea College

Berea, Kentucky
331 Total Awards
$31,428 Average Earnings

Berea College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Berea is located in Berea, Kentucky and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 331 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, Berea graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,428 during the early year of their career.

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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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