Kentucky's higher education landscape offers strong options across both public and private institutions, with community colleges earning particularly high marks for value and outcomes. Among the state's 24 qualifying schools, three public institutions and two private colleges claim the top five spots, demonstrating the quality available across different sectors. Students evaluating Kentucky schools should prioritize graduation rates, post-graduation employment outcomes, and cost of attendance. The University of Kentucky anchors the state's research offerings, while specialized institutions like Galen College of Nursing excel in career-focused programs. Community colleges like Ashland and Madisonville provide accessible pathways to four-year degrees or direct workforce entry. When comparing options, consider program strength in your intended major, campus resources, and financial aid availability to find the best fit for your academic and career goals.
25
Schools Ranked
$40,670
Avg. Earnings
51.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate
Top 25 Schools
| # | School | Graduation Rate | Median Earnings | Acceptance Rate | In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Galen College of Nursing-ARH
Hazard, Kentucky
|
44.8% | $61,480 | $15,860 | |
| 2 |
Ashland Community and Technical College
Ashland, Kentucky
|
59.2% | $34,504 | $4,656 | |
| 3 |
Centre College
Danville, Kentucky
|
85.3% | $66,240 | 62.9% | $50,550 |
| 4 |
Madisonville Community College
Madisonville, Kentucky
|
55.0% | $35,733 | $4,656 | |
| 5 |
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
|
69.9% | $59,025 | 94.9% | $13,212 |
| 6 |
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, Kentucky
|
52.1% | $34,242 | $4,656 | |
| 7 |
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
|
49.6% | $36,143 | $4,656 | |
| 8 |
Gateway Community and Technical College
Florence, Kentucky
|
49.0% | $36,147 | $4,656 | |
| 9 |
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, Kentucky
|
49.2% | $35,798 | $4,656 | |
| 10 |
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
|
60.7% | $53,899 | 81.5% | $12,828 |
| 11 |
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Paducah, Kentucky
|
48.7% | $34,891 | $4,656 | |
| 12 |
Maysville Community and Technical College
Maysville, Kentucky
|
51.3% | $32,194 | $4,656 | |
| 13 |
Henderson Community College
Henderson, Kentucky
|
44.4% | $35,714 | $4,656 | |
| 14 |
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
|
49.7% | $45,795 | 64.3% | $10,130 |
| 15 |
Hazard Community and Technical College
Hazard, Kentucky
|
47.3% | $29,868 | $4,656 | |
| 16 |
Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky
|
59.5% | $44,737 | 84.0% | $9,708 |
| 17 |
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, Kentucky
|
38.1% | $36,343 | $4,706 | |
| 18 |
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
|
63.2% | $61,480 | ||
| 19 |
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Cumberland, Kentucky
|
43.6% | $29,482 | $4,656 | |
| 20 |
Hopkinsville Community College
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
|
36.7% | $36,323 | $4,656 | |
| 21 |
Berea College
Berea, Kentucky
|
62.0% | $43,150 | 24.6% | $49,326 |
| 22 |
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
|
38.4% | $32,954 | $4,656 | |
| 23 |
Somerset Community College
Somerset, Kentucky
|
40.3% | $30,787 | $4,656 | |
| 24 |
American National University-Pikeville
Pikeville, Kentucky
|
50.0% | $28,188 | $11,484 | |
| 25 |
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
Pineville, Kentucky
|
33.3% | $41,623 | $10,120 |
Browse all colleges in Kentucky →
Related Guides
See our methodology for how rankings are calculated.