Skip to main content

Best Value Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Kentucky

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Northern Kentucky University delivers strong value in accounting education with a net cost of just $7,168 while producing graduates who earn $51,781 annually. This combination creates one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios among Kentucky's 20 accounting programs. The state's accounting graduates enter a job market shaped by major employers like Humana, which requires extensive financial oversight, and UPS's massive Worldport operation that demands sophisticated logistics accounting. Public universities dominate the value conversation, with six schools offering net costs below $18,000, while private options like Bellarmine University command $23,587 but deliver the highest graduate earnings at $55,512. The earnings gap across Kentucky accounting programs spans nearly $26,000, from Asbury University's $29,685 to Bellarmine's peak figure, reflecting different career trajectories and geographic markets within the state.
22
Programs
$7,168 – $36,431
Net Price Range
$44,972
Avg. Program Earnings
50.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,168 $51,781 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
2 $9,121 $44,091 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
3 $10,916 $46,999 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
4 $9,962 $40,179 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
5 $10,089 $35,823 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
6 $17,218 $50,000 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
7 $17,634 $50,952 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
8 $23,587 $55,512 $47,180 67.7% 87.8%
9 $23,560 $48,667 $44,980 69.8% 90.8%
10 $25,785 $41,007 $14,220 30.2%
11 $20,428 $29,685 $33,640 65.0% 78.7%
12 $13,485 $42,010 47.5% 71.5%
13 $16,238 $11,484 50.0%
14 $36,431 $33,393 52.6% 68.6%
15 $11,286 $9,875 46.2% 83.0%
16 $17,839 $14,080 26.4% 98.3%
17 $23,863 $26,080 46.4% 93.8%
18 $18,246 $26,990 47.1%
19 $14,626 $30,450 46.0% 50.4%
20 $24,264 $27,850 57.3% 97.6%
21 $20,701 $38,400 40.1% 94.2%
22 $23,906 $30,946 36.0% 53.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Northern Kentucky University such a strong value for accounting students?

Northern Kentucky University combines the lowest net cost in the state at $7,168 with impressive graduate earnings of $51,781, creating strong affordability without sacrificing outcomes. The school maintains an 86% acceptance rate while producing accounting professionals who earn significantly above the state average. Graduates also carry manageable debt loads averaging $19,465, well below many competitors.

How do private accounting programs in Kentucky justify their higher costs?

Bellarmine University leads private options with graduates earning $55,512 annually, the highest in the state, despite a net cost of $23,587. The school achieves a 68% graduation rate compared to much lower rates at some public alternatives. Private programs typically offer smaller class sizes and more personalized career services, though the financial return varies significantly across institutions.

Is the University of Kentucky worth the higher cost compared to regional universities?

UK charges $17,218 net cost but delivers strong outcomes with a 70% graduation rate and $50,000 in graduate earnings. This represents a middle-ground option between ultra-affordable regional schools and expensive private colleges. However, schools like Northern Kentucky University actually produce higher-earning graduates at a fraction of UK's cost, making the value proposition more complex than rankings might suggest.

Does graduation rate correlate with accounting program value in Kentucky?

The relationship proves inconsistent across Kentucky's accounting programs. Transylvania University achieves a 70% graduation rate but costs $23,560, while Murray State University graduates 60% of students at just $9,121 net cost. Some lower-cost options like Morehead State struggle with 48% graduation rates, suggesting that extreme affordability sometimes comes with completion risks.

Where do Kentucky accounting graduates typically find employment after graduation?

Kentucky's accounting graduates often work for major state employers including Humana's healthcare operations, UPS's logistics and financial divisions, and the state's bourbon industry leaders like Brown-Forman. The automotive sector, anchored by Toyota's Georgetown plant, also creates demand for cost accountants and financial analysts. Louisville and Lexington offer the most opportunities, while graduates from regional programs often serve local businesses and smaller municipalities throughout the commonwealth.

More Accounting and Related Services Rankings

Cheapest Accounting and Related Services in Kentucky Accounting and Related Services Under $20,000 in Kentucky

Related

All Accounting and Related Services Programs Best Colleges in Kentucky Best Accounting and Related Services in Kentucky

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.