Skip to main content

Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Kentucky

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Berea College stands out among Kentucky's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs with a net cost of just $4,483, making it the state's most affordable option despite carrying a sticker price of $49,326. This unique pricing structure reflects the college's work-study model where students contribute labor to offset educational costs. The gap between Berea and other affordable options widens considerably, with Northern Kentucky University following at $7,168 net cost. Kentucky's automotive and healthcare sectors create meaningful career paths for liberal arts graduates, particularly through companies like Toyota and Humana that value critical thinking and communication skills. The state's 20 programs show significant variation in outcomes, with graduation rates ranging from Alice Lloyd College's 26.4% to University of Kentucky's 69.9%. Public universities generally offer better value propositions, with most maintaining net costs under $11,000 while providing access to Kentucky's growing job market in logistics and manufacturing.
25
Programs
$4,483 – $36,431
Net Price Range
$30,745
Avg. Program Earnings
49.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
2 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
3 $8,900 $9,214 27.1% 91.5%
4 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
5 $9,904 $10,060 35.7% 45.0%
6 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
7 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
8 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
9 $11,286 $9,875 46.2% 83.0%
10 $13,485 $42,010 47.5% 71.5%
11 $13,811 $27,274 38.1%
12 $14,626 $30,450 46.0% 50.4%
13 $17,218 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
14 $17,634 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
15 $17,839 $14,080 26.4% 98.3%
16 $18,246 $26,990 47.1%
17 $20,701 $38,400 40.1% 94.2%
18 $21,497 $50,550 85.3% 62.9%
19 $22,139 $25,000 33.8% 44.4%
20 $23,560 $44,980 69.8% 90.8%
21 $23,587 $47,180 67.7% 87.8%
22 $23,906 $30,946 36.0% 53.4%
23 $24,264 $27,850 57.3% 97.6%
24 $25,785 $14,220 30.2%
25 $36,431 $33,393 52.6% 68.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Berea College so much cheaper than other private schools in Kentucky?

Berea College operates on a unique work-study model where all students contribute 10-15 hours of campus labor weekly, significantly reducing the actual cost to $4,483 despite a published tuition of $49,326. The college maintains a highly selective 24.58% acceptance rate and achieves a solid 62% graduation rate. This approach makes private education accessible while teaching practical work skills valued by Kentucky employers.

How do public university costs compare for Liberal Arts programs in Kentucky?

Kentucky's public universities cluster in the $7,000-$11,000 net cost range, with Northern Kentucky University leading at $7,168 and Western Kentucky University at $10,916. These schools maintain high acceptance rates, with Western Kentucky accepting 96.95% of applicants. Public options consistently offer better value than most private alternatives, though graduation rates vary from Eastern Kentucky's 49.7% to University of Kentucky's 69.9%.

Is Northern Kentucky University a good choice for Liberal Arts students?

Northern Kentucky University offers strong value with a $7,168 net cost and the highest post-graduation earnings at $36,265 among affordable options. The university maintains an 86% acceptance rate and 48.3% graduation rate while serving the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Graduates benefit from proximity to major employers like Humana and access to both Kentucky and Ohio job markets.

Does the KEES scholarship help with Liberal Arts program costs?

The KEES scholarship rewards Kentucky high school students based on GPA and test scores, providing up to $2,500 annually for college expenses. This funding particularly benefits students attending public universities where net costs already range from $7,168 to $10,916. Combined with federal aid, KEES can make programs at schools like Murray State University or Morehead State University extremely affordable for qualified residents.

Where do Liberal Arts graduates find work in Kentucky's job market?

Kentucky's varied economy offers Liberal Arts graduates opportunities across healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. Companies like Toyota, UPS Worldport, and Humana value the critical thinking and communication skills these programs develop. Post-graduation earnings for Liberal Arts majors in Kentucky range from $26,353 to $36,265, with Northern Kentucky University graduates earning the highest salaries due to proximity to Cincinnati's expanded job market.

More Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Rankings

Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Kentucky Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Under $20,000 in Kentucky

Related

All Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs Best Colleges in Kentucky Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Kentucky

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