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    Colleges Top Colleges in Kentucky
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    Top Colleges in Kentucky

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Updated: June 6th, 2024

    Kentucky boasts an array of college choices, each with its unique appeal. Whether you’re inclined toward the energetic atmosphere of Louisville or the historical charm of Lexington, you’ll find a Kentucky college that resonates with you. Kentucky’s educational support programs, such as the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), make college accessible to many students. Take a look at our list of Kentucky colleges to pinpoint the ideal institution for you.

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    Kentucky state flag

    Top college scholarships for
    Kentucky Students

    $14,500 in scholarships available
    Scholarships360 is recommended by
    18 colleges
    Sort by
    C

    Centre College

    Danville, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Danville, Kentucky. There are currently 1,347 undergraduates at Centre and the school’s acceptance rate is 63%. The tuition at Centre…

    Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    63% acceptance
    87% graduation rate
    1,347 undergrads
    $22,024 net price
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    B

    Berea College

    Berea, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, is unique in that it charges no tuition; every student receives a full-tuition scholarship. Berea emphasizes service and learning, and students work on campus…Read More

    Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, is unique in that…Read More

    25% acceptance
    62% graduation rate
    1,412 undergrads
    $2,601 net price
    K

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington, KY • Public, City

    University of Kentucky is a public 4-year college located in Lexington, Kentucky. There are currently 22,115 undergraduates at Kentucky and the school’s acceptance rate is 95%. The tuition at Kentucky…

    University of Kentucky is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    95% acceptance
    69% graduation rate
    22,115 undergrads
    $16,328 net price
    T

    Transylvania University

    Lexington, KY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Lexington, Kentucky. There are currently 976 undergraduates at Transylvania and the school’s acceptance rate is 91%. The tuition at Transylvania…

    Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    91% acceptance
    69% graduation rate
    976 undergrads
    $23,734 net price
    L

    University of Louisville

    Louisville, KY • Public, City

    Top College Top Affordability
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    University of Louisville is a public 4-year college located in Louisville, Kentucky. There are currently 13,822 undergraduates at Louisville and the school’s acceptance rate is 82%. The tuition at Louisville…

    University of Louisville is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    82% acceptance
    62% graduation rate
    13,822 undergrads
    $18,277 net price
    B

    Bellarmine University

    Louisville, KY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Louisville, Kentucky. There are currently 2,275 undergraduates at Bellarmine and the school’s acceptance rate is 88%. The tuition at Bellarmine…

    Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    88% acceptance
    60% graduation rate
    2,275 undergrads
    $22,229 net price
    M

    Murray State University

    Murray, KY • Public, Town

    Murray State University is a public 4-year college located in Murray, Kentucky. There are currently 6,588 undergraduates at Murray State and the school’s acceptance rate is 84%. The tuition at…

    Murray State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    84% acceptance
    58% graduation rate
    6,588 undergrads
    $11,072 net price
    N

    Northern Kentucky University

    Highland Heights, KY • Public, Suburb

    Northern Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. There are currently 8,677 undergraduates at NKU and the school’s acceptance rate is 86%. The tuition at…

    Northern Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    86% acceptance
    50% graduation rate
    8,677 undergrads
    $6,087 net price
    A

    Asbury University

    Wilmore, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Asbury University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Wilmore, Kentucky. There are currently 1,256 undergraduates at Asbury and the school’s acceptance rate is 79%. The tuition at Asbury…

    Asbury University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    79% acceptance
    70% graduation rate
    1,256 undergrads
    $21,053 net price
    W

    Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green, KY • Public, City

    Western Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There are currently 12,149 undergraduates at Western Kentucky and the school’s acceptance rate is 97%. The tuition…

    Western Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    97% acceptance
    51% graduation rate
    12,149 undergrads
    $12,329 net price
    E

    Eastern Kentucky University

    Richmond, KY • Public, Town

    Eastern Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in Richmond, Kentucky. There are currently 11,215 undergraduates at EKU and the school’s acceptance rate is 64%. The tuition at EKU…

    Eastern Kentucky University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    64% acceptance
    49% graduation rate
    11,215 undergrads
    $10,158 net price
    M

    Morehead State University

    Morehead, KY • Public, Town

    Morehead State University is a public 4-year college located in Morehead, Kentucky. There are currently 4,864 undergraduates at Morehead State and the school’s acceptance rate is 84%. The tuition at…

    Morehead State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    84% acceptance
    47% graduation rate
    4,864 undergrads
    $11,012 net price
    C

    University of the Cumberlands

    Williamsburg, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    University of the Cumberlands is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. There are currently 4,609 undergraduates at Cumberlands and the school’s acceptance rate is 83%. The tuition…

    University of the Cumberlands is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More

    83% acceptance
    44% graduation rate
    4,609 undergrads
    $13,835 net price
    K

    Kentucky State University

    Frankfort, KY • Public, Town

    Kentucky State University is a public 4-year college located in Frankfort, Kentucky. There are currently 1,343 undergraduates at Kentucky State and the school’s acceptance rate is 92%. The tuition at…

    Kentucky State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    92% acceptance
    32% graduation rate
    1,343 undergrads
    $11,619 net price
    L

    Lindsey Wilson College

    Columbia, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Lindsey Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Columbia, Kentucky. There are currently 1,608 undergraduates at Lindsey Wilson. The tuition at Lindsey Wilson is $26,228.

    Lindsey Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    --% acceptance
    37% graduation rate
    1,608 undergrads
    $14,733 net price
    K

    Kentucky Wesleyan College

    Owensboro, KY • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Owensboro, Kentucky. There are currently 760 undergraduates at Kentucky Wesleyan and the school’s acceptance rate is 69%. The tuition…

    Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    69% acceptance
    48% graduation rate
    760 undergrads
    $23,148 net price
    P

    University of Pikeville

    Pikeville, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    University of Pikeville is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Pikeville, Kentucky. There are currently 1,109 undergraduates at Pikeville. The tuition at Pikeville is $23,150.

    University of Pikeville is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    --% acceptance
    35% graduation rate
    1,109 undergrads
    $17,034 net price
    C

    Campbellsville University

    Campbellsville, KY • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Campbellsville University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. There are currently 2,749 undergraduates at Campbellsville. The tuition at Campbellsville is $26,100.

    Campbellsville University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    --% acceptance
    41% graduation rate
    2,749 undergrads
    $22,252 net price
    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    State grants in Kentucky

    College Access Program (CAP) Grant

    The College Access Program (CAP) Grant is a need-based grant for Kentucky students attending eligible institutions, which include certain colleges, universities, trade schools and technical colleges. Students must be enrolled at a status of at least half-time for a 2 to 4 year program. 

    The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KYG)

    The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KYG) is a need-based grant for Kentucky students who are enrolled full-time at an eligible private college or university getting either a bachelor’s or associate degree. 

    Kentucky tuition reciprocity agreements

    Tuition Reciprocity is an exchange program that allows students to attend schools in partner states at a discounted tuition rate. Kentucky’s education system has specific agreements with certain schools in Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia. It is also a part of the Southern Regional Education Board Academic Common Market, which allows students going to public institutions to out-of-state schools and pay in-state tuition, if their degree is not offered in their home state.

    Here’s a list of states in the SREB:

    Other college lists to explore

    Frequently asked questions about colleges in Kentucky

    What is the hardest college in Kentucky to get into?

     The college with the lowest acceptance rate in Kentucky is Berea College with only 33% of students being admitted. There are many aspects that go into college admissions beyond test scores, so make sure to not be discouraged by lower acceptance rates.

    Does Kentucky have tuition reciprocity?

    Yes! Kentucky is one of the 15 states in the Southern Regional Education Board Academic Common Market. This means students have the opportunity to go to out of state schools, and still receive discounted in-state tuition.

    Why should I study in Kentucky?

    Kentucky is an interesting place to be in the U.S., because most consider it to be a southern state, but some also consider it to be the mideast. You’ll get to experience some classic aspects of southern culture, like its food and hospitality. It’s also a great place to be if you’re a college basketball fan or if you’re an equestrian, what’s a better place to be than the home of the Kentucky Derby?

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