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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Kentucky

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

Northern Kentucky University stands out with a net price of just $7,168 for teacher education, making it the most affordable option among Kentucky's 20 programs. This represents significant savings compared to private alternatives like Bellarmine University at $23,587 annually. The earnings spread tells an interesting story, with University of Louisville graduates earning $36,255 while Campbellsville graduates start at $28,055. Kentucky's education sector benefits from the state's economic diversity, with major employers like Humana and Toyota creating demand for corporate training specialists and workplace education coordinators. Public universities dominate the value equation, with six of the top seven most affordable programs coming from state institutions. The KEES scholarship program further reduces costs for high-achieving Kentucky students. Graduation rates vary considerably, from Kentucky State's 27.1% to University of Kentucky's 69.9%, suggesting program structure and student support services play important roles in completion. With net prices ranging from $7,168 to $36,431, students can find quality teacher preparation programs that fit different budget constraints while preparing for Kentucky's evolving educational needs.
27
Programs
$4,483 – $36,431
Net Price Range
$32,473
Avg. Program Earnings
50.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,168 $33,731 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
2 $8,900 $32,925 $9,214 27.1% 91.5%
3 $9,121 $32,448 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
4 $9,962 $31,075 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
5 $10,916 $32,735 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
6 $10,089 $29,995 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
7 $11,286 $28,598 $9,875 46.2% 83.0%
8 $13,591 $31,423 $24,150 39.1%
9 $17,218 $35,461 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
10 $17,634 $36,255 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
11 $20,428 $33,382 $33,640 65.0% 78.7%
12 $18,246 $28,055 $26,990 47.1%
13 $23,587 $35,701 $47,180 67.7% 87.8%
14 $22,139 $32,391 $25,000 33.8% 44.4%
15 $23,560 $32,925 $44,980 69.8% 90.8%
16 $36,431 $33,393 52.6% 68.6%
17 $17,839 $14,080 26.4% 98.3%
18 $13,811 $27,274 38.1%
19 $21,497 $50,550 85.3% 62.9%
20 $23,863 $26,080 46.4% 93.8%
21 $13,485 $42,010 47.5% 71.5%
22 $14,626 $30,450 46.0% 50.4%
23 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
24 $24,264 $27,850 57.3% 97.6%
25 $20,701 $38,400 40.1% 94.2%
26 $23,906 $30,946 36.0% 53.4%
27 $9,904 $10,060 35.7% 45.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Northern Kentucky University such a strong value for teacher education?

Northern Kentucky University offers the lowest net price at $7,168 while delivering solid outcomes with graduates earning $33,731 annually. The acceptance rate of 86% makes it accessible to most applicants. With an in-state tuition of only $10,896, Kentucky residents get strong value for their teacher preparation investment.

How do public and private teacher education programs compare on cost?

Public programs average around $10,000-$17,000 in net costs, while private options range from $11,286 at University of the Cumberlands to $23,587 at Bellarmine University. Private schools like Bellarmine do offer higher graduate earnings at $35,701, but the cost difference often exceeds $10,000 annually. Public universities provide the best cost-to-earnings ratios in most cases.

Is the graduation rate gap significant among Kentucky teacher education programs?

Graduation rates span from Kentucky State's 27.1% to University of Kentucky's 69.9%, creating a 42-point difference. Schools like Transylvania University (69.8%) and Bellarmine University (67.7%) achieve high completion rates but cost significantly more. Murray State University offers a middle ground with a 59.5% graduation rate and $9,121 net price.

Does higher cost correlate with better earnings for Kentucky education graduates?

The correlation isn't straightforward in Kentucky's teacher education market. University of Louisville graduates earn the highest at $36,255 with a moderate net cost of $17,634. However, Campbellsville University charges $18,246 but graduates earn only $28,055. Northern Kentucky University proves cost-effectiveness with $33,731 earnings at the lowest net price of $7,168.

Where do Kentucky teacher education graduates find the best job opportunities?

Kentucky's major metropolitan areas around Louisville and Lexington offer the most opportunities, with school districts, corporate training roles at companies like Humana and UPS, and educational technology positions. The state's KEES scholarship program helps reduce education costs for qualified students. Graduates also find positions in rural districts that often provide loan forgiveness programs and competitive benefits packages.

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