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Best Colleges in Kentucky 2026

Rankings based on graduation rates, earnings, selectivity, and affordability. See our methodology.

Kentucky has 61 colleges and universities in our database; 55 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 25 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).
25
Schools Ranked
$40,670
Avg. Earnings
51.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
# School Graduation Rate Median Earnings Acceptance Rate In-State Tuition
1 44.8% $61,480 $15,860
2 59.2% $34,504 $4,656
3 85.3% $66,240 62.9% $50,550
4 55.0% $35,733 $4,656
5 69.9% $59,025 94.9% $13,212
6 52.1% $34,242 $4,656
7 49.6% $36,143 $4,656
8 49.0% $36,147 $4,656
9 49.2% $35,798 $4,656
10 60.7% $53,899 81.5% $12,828
11 48.7% $34,891 $4,656
12 51.3% $32,194 $4,656
13 44.4% $35,714 $4,656
14 49.7% $45,795 64.3% $10,130
15 47.3% $29,868 $4,656
16 59.5% $44,737 84.0% $9,708
17 38.1% $36,343 $4,706
18 63.2% $61,480
19 43.6% $29,482 $4,656
20 36.7% $36,323 $4,656
21 62.0% $43,150 24.6% $49,326
22 38.4% $32,954 $4,656
23 40.3% $30,787 $4,656
24 50.0% $28,188 $11,484
25 33.3% $41,623 $10,120

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How to Compare Colleges: Key Metrics That Matter Highest-Paying College Majors 2026 College Return on Investment: How to Calculate the True Value

See our methodology for how rankings are calculated.