2023 Best Value Schools in Kentucky
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
The Best Value 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 value programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bluegrass Community and Technical College the best value school in Kentucky for students working on their degree. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 6,249 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College are $15,320 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,647 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,280 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Bluegrass Community and Technical College is ranked #1 for overall quality in Kentucky.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky that handed out 2,965 degrees in 2020-2021.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,186 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $41,037 annually.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Schools in Kentucky list.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Out of the 38 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Jefferson Community and Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Jefferson Community and Technical College is located in Louisville, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,956 degrees to qualified students.
Jefferson Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,320 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,344 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $38,170 annually.
Jefferson Community and Technical College also took the #2 spot in our Best Schools in Kentucky rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Gateway Community and Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Gateway is a public institution located in Florence, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2,876 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gateway are $15,320 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,491 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Gateway, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,770 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Madisonville Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Madisonville, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 1,642 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Madisonville Community College are $15,240 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,634 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Madisonville Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,288 during the early years of their career.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Paducah, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,857 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,740 in student loans.After graduating from West Kentucky Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,988 during the early years of their career.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 2,602 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SKYCTC are $15,240 per year. On average, students take out $18,216 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SKYCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,998 during the early year of their career.
Full Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Somerset Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Kentucky ranking. SCC is located in Somerset, Kentucky and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,869 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SCC are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,406 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SCC graduates make an average of $33,815 annually.
Hopkinsville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 1,033 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hopkinsville Community College are $15,240 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,459 in student loans.After graduating from Hopkinsville Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,124 during the early years of their career.
Owensboro Community and Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Owensboro, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,148 degrees in 2020-2021.
Owensboro Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,268 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Owensboro Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,152 during the early year of their career.
Read full report on Owensboro Community and Technical College
Ashland Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. ACTC is a small public school situated in Ashland, Kentucky. It awarded 2,094 degrees in 2020-2021.
ACTC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,519 in student loans. During the early years of their career, ACTC graduates make an average of $34,541 annually.
University of the Cumberlands ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,110 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cumberlands are $9,875 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,361 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $86, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Cumberlands graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,758 during the early year of their career.
Maysville Community and Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Maysville Community and Technical College is located in Maysville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,503 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Maysville Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,110 in student loans.After graduating from Maysville Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,391 during the early years of their career.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky that handed out 1,713 degrees in 2020-2021.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,051 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Big Sandy Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $36,262 annually.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Cumberland, Kentucky, and it awarded 694 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast are $15,240 a year. On average, students take out $14,215 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Southeast, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,786 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
Hazard Community and Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Hazard Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Hazard, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,752 degrees in 2020-2021.
Hazard Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,072 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Hazard Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,826 during the early year of their career.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Kentucky ranking. NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,686 degrees to qualified students.
NKU undergraduate students pay an average of $20,448 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $26,681 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $199. Once they receive their degree, NKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,837 during the early year of their career.
Murray State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Murray, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,251 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Murray State are $18,528 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,713 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $228. Once they receive their degree, Murray State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,161 during the early year of their career.
Georgetown College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Georgetown College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Georgetown, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 373 degrees in 2020-2021.
Georgetown College undergraduate students pay an average of $41,200 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,780 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 $34,112 during the early year of their career.
Georgetown College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in Kentucky list.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Kentucky ranking. Eastern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school located in Richmond, Kentucky that handed out 3,594 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastern are $20,024 a year. On average, students take out $26,284 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $185 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Eastern graduates make an average of $37,738 annually.
University of Louisville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Louisville, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,454 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UofL are $28,716 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,775 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $239, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UofL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,447 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UofL also is in the top 20% of our Best Schools in Kentucky ranking.
University of Kentucky did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. University of Kentucky is a large public school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 8,208 degrees in 2020-2021.
UK undergraduate students pay an average of $31,608 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $389 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UK graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,675 during the early year of their career.
Western Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the fairly large public school awarded 4,546 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
WKU undergraduate students pay an average of $27,000 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $25,012 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $220 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,898 during the early year of their career.
Kentucky State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Frankfort, Kentucky, and it awarded 204 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at KY State are $12,870 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,472 in student loans.After graduating from KY State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,321 during the early years of their career.
Morehead State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Kentucky list. Morehead State University is a medium-sized public school located in Morehead, Kentucky that handed out 1,547 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Morehead State University are $14,106 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,934 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $107, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Morehead State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,454 during the early years of their career.
Best Value Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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