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Urban Colleges in Kentucky

20 schools in Kentucky. See our methodology.

Kentucky's urban colleges show remarkable variation in outcomes, from Bellarmine University's $62,069 median earnings to community colleges producing graduates earning $34,242. The University of Kentucky in Lexington enrolls 23,189 students with a 69.9% graduation rate, while acceptance rates span from Brescia University's selective 50.4% to West Kentucky Community and Technical College's open 97.6%. These schools serve Kentucky's major employment centers, with Louisville institutions feeding healthcare giant Humana and logistics leader UPS Worldport, while Lexington colleges connect to the state's automotive sector anchored by Toyota. Community colleges dominate the affordable education space, with net costs under $6,000 at most two-year programs. Specialized schools like Galen College of Nursing achieve 63.2% graduation rates in high-demand healthcare fields. The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship program helps reduce costs across the state's urban campuses, supporting students from Paducah to Ashland. Private colleges command higher prices, with Kentucky Wesleyan's $36,431 net cost representing the premium end, while still maintaining solid employment connections to regional industries.
20
Schools
$15,330
Avg. Net Price
$45,566
Avg. Earnings
51.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Kentucky

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Small 1,566 $4,907 59.2%
2 City-Large 23,189 $17,218 69.9%
3 City-Small 2,952 $3,794 52.1%
4 City-Small 3,775 $5,594 49.6%
5 City-Large 14,187 $17,634 60.7%
6 City-Small 2,810 $5,023 48.7%
7 City-Large 7,713 $5,920 38.1%
8 City-Large 4,184 63.2%
9 City-Large 7,105 $6,058 30.7%
10 City-Small 538 $14,626 46.0%
11 City-Small 12,267 $10,916 53.7%
12 City-Large 2,498 $25,785 30.2%
13 City-Large 2,286 $23,587 67.7%
14 City-Small 794 $36,431 52.6%
15 City-Large 1,014 $23,560 69.8%
16 City-Large 597 $24,264 57.3%
17 City-Large 844 43.9%
18 City-Large 381 $19,960 34.0%
19 City-Large
20 City-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Kentucky's urban colleges affordable for most students?

Community colleges lead affordability with net costs between $3,794 and $6,058 annually. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College costs just $3,794 while maintaining a 52.1% graduation rate. The KEES scholarship program further reduces expenses for Kentucky residents attending in-state institutions, making urban college education accessible across income levels.

How do graduation rates compare between two-year and four-year urban schools?

Four-year universities generally outperform community colleges in graduation rates. Transylvania University and University of Kentucky both achieve nearly 70% graduation rates, while community colleges range from 30.7% at Jefferson to 59.2% at Ashland. However, community colleges serve different student populations with varying educational goals and time constraints.

Is nursing education particularly strong in Kentucky's urban areas?

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville demonstrates the strength of specialized healthcare education with a 63.2% graduation rate and $61,480 median earnings. This reflects Kentucky's major healthcare employers like Humana and the state's growing medical sector, creating strong job placement opportunities for nursing graduates in urban markets.

Does the University of Kentucky offer good value despite higher costs?

With a $17,218 net cost, University of Kentucky produces graduates earning $59,025 annually while maintaining a 69.9% graduation rate. The 94.89% acceptance rate makes it accessible, and the 23,189 enrollment provides extensive resources and alumni networks throughout Kentucky's major industries and employers.

Where do Kentucky's urban college graduates typically find employment?

Graduates enter Kentucky's major employment sectors including automotive manufacturing centered around Toyota, healthcare systems like Humana, and logistics operations at UPS Worldport in Louisville. The state's urban colleges maintain strong connections to these employers, with median earnings ranging from $34,242 to $62,069 depending on program and institution.

What explains the wide acceptance rate range among urban schools?

Acceptance rates span from 50.4% at Brescia University to 97.6% at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, reflecting different institutional missions. Private colleges maintain selective admission standards, while community colleges offer open access. Universities like UK and Louisville balance accessibility with academic standards at 94.89% and 81.54% respectively.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.