2023 Most Popular Schools in Kentucky
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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 Most Popular Schools in Kentucky ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 86 schools in Kentucky to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Kentucky to be the most popular school for students in Kentucky. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,208 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UK accumulate an average of $23,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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. During the early years of their career, UK graduates make an average of $43,675 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a great place for students. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,249 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,647 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Louisville is a great place for students. UofL is a large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 5,454 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,775 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $239 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UofL, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,447 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Jefferson Community and Technical College is a great place for students. This fairly large public school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 4,956 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,344 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $38,170 annually. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
Out of the 86 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Kentucky University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Bowling Green, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,546 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WKU accumulate an average of $25,012 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 $220. During the early years of their career, WKU graduates make an average of $37,898 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of the Cumberlands came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Kentucky ranking. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Williamsburg, Kentucky that handed out 4,110 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,361 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $86. Once they receive their degree, Cumberlands graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,758 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Kentucky ranking. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 3,686 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,681 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,837 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Eastern Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Richmond, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,594 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,284 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $185. Once they receive their degree, Eastern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,738 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Campbellsville University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Kentucky list. Campbellsville, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,488 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Campbellsville University accumulate an average of $24,378 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Campbellsville University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,915 during the early year of their career. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,965 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,186 in student loans.After graduating from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,037 during the early years of their career. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
Somerset Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Kentucky list. This medium-sized public school is located in Somerset, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,869 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,406 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,815 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #12, Gateway Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Gateway Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Florence, Kentucky that handed out 2,876 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,491 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gateway graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,770 during the early year of their career. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is located in Paducah, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,857 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from West Kentucky Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,740 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Kentucky ranking. This small public school is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,602 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,216 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SKYCTC graduates make an average of $32,998 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
Full Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Maysville, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 2,503 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,110 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Maysville Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,391 during the early year of their career. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Maysville Community and Technical College
Owensboro Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 2,148 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,268 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Owensboro Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $36,152 annually. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
Murray State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. Murray State is located in Murray, Kentucky and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,251 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,713 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $228, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Ashland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Ashland, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 2,094 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,519 in student loans.After graduating from ACTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,541 during the early years of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Hazard Community and Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Hazard, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 1,752 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Hazard Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,072 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Hazard Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,826 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. It awarded 1,713 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,051 in student loans.After graduating from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,262 during the early years of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
Madisonville Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Madisonville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,642 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,634 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Madisonville Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,288 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Morehead State University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular 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.
On average, students take out $28,934 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $107 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Morehead State University graduates make an average of $37,454 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Kentucky list. Hopkinsville Community College is a public institution located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,033 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College accumulate an average of $18,459 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Galen College of Nursing - Louisville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,006 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville accumulate an average of $33,556 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $114, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,363 during the early years of their career. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Bellarmine University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Bellarmine U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 977 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,396 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $272 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bellarmine U graduates make an average of $46,915 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular 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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