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2024 Best Value Colleges for Nursing in Kentucky

39 Ranked Colleges
6,395 Degrees Awarded
$9,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across Kentucky, there were 6,395 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $65,824 and $26,802 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky

The colleges and universities below are the best for kentucky nursing students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing in Kentucky

1
UofL crest
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Louisville. It ranked #1 on our 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. UofL is a public institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 334 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UofL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. The yearly cost to attend UofL is $16,828 for Kentucky Nursing students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at University of Louisville

2
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Kentucky University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it awarded 347 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

WKU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. The estimated yearly cost for WKU is $12,522 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at WKU

3
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Kentucky University landed the #3 spot on the list. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 870 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

NKU also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for NKU is $9,183 for kentucky nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at NKU

4
Eastern crest
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Eastern Kentucky University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 312 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Eastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern is $13,763 for kentucky nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Eastern Kentucky University

5
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Kentucky landed the #5 spot on the list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 339 students in 2020-2021.

UK also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $18,203 for Kentucky Nursing students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kentucky Nursing Report

6
Frontier Nursing University crest
Frontier Nursing University
Versailles, Kentucky

Frontier Nursing University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Frontier Nursing University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Versailles, Kentucky. It awarded 913 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Frontier Nursing University, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Nursing at Frontier Nursing University

7
Cumberlands crest
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #7. Williamsburg, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cumberlands, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cumberlands is $13,476 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Full Cumberlands Nursing Report

8
Murray State crest
Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky

Murray State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Murray State University is a medium-sized school located in Murray, Kentucky that handed out 149 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Murray State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. The yearly cost to attend Murray State is $11,736 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Murray State

9
Hopkinsville Community College crest
Hopkinsville Community College
Hopkinsville, Kentucky

With a ranking of #9, Hopkinsville Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Hopkinsville Community College is located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Hopkinsville Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. The yearly cost to attend Hopkinsville Community College is $4,872 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Hopkinsville Community College

10

Gateway Community and Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Gateway Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Florence, Kentucky. It awarded 100 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Gateway also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Gateway Community and Technical College is $5,671 for kentucky nursing students.

Full Gateway Community and Technical College Nursing Report

11

Jefferson Community and Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a fairly large school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 86 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Jefferson Community and Technical College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Jefferson Community and Technical College is $5,954 for kentucky nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Jefferson Community and Technical College

12
Sullivan University crest
Sullivan University
Louisville, Kentucky

Sullivan University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. This small school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 112 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our kentucky nursing students list, Sullivan University has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sullivan University is $23,161 for kentucky nursing students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Nursing at Sullivan University

13

West Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Paducah, Kentucky. It awarded 80 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Kentucky Community and Technical College is $5,679 for kentucky nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at West Kentucky Community and Technical College

14

Bluegrass Community and Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This medium-sized school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 105 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Bluegrass Community and Technical College is $5,625 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Full Bluegrass Community and Technical College Nursing Report

15
Morehead State University crest
Morehead State University
Morehead, Kentucky

Morehead State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This medium-sized school is located in Morehead, Kentucky, and it awarded 127 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Morehead State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. The estimated yearly cost for Morehead State University is $12,096 for kentucky nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Morehead State University

16
Spalding crest
Spalding University
Louisville, Kentucky

With a ranking of #16, Spalding University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Spalding University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 174 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Spalding not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. It costs about $21,976 for kentucky nursing students per year to attend Spalding.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Spalding

17
KY State crest
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Kentucky State University is a small school located in Frankfort, Kentucky that handed out 24 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our kentucky nursing students list, KY State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KY State is $7,343 for kentucky nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at KY State

18

Ashland Community and Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Ashland, Kentucky, and it awarded 52 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

ACTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky” list. It costs about $5,174 for kentucky nursing students per year to attend Ashland Community and Technical College.

Full ACTC Nursing Report

19
Madisonville Community College crest
Madisonville Community College
Madisonville, Kentucky

Madisonville Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This small school is located in Madisonville, Kentucky, and it awarded 59 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Madisonville Community College is $3,996 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Madisonville Community College

20

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #20. Southeast is located in Cumberland, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,582 for kentucky nursing students per year to attend Southeast.

Read more about Nursing at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

21
Henderson Community College crest
Henderson Community College
Henderson, Kentucky

Henderson Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Henderson, Kentucky, this small public school awarded 44 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,970 for Kentucky Nursing students per year to attend Henderson Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at Henderson Community College

22
SCC crest
Somerset Community College
Somerset, Kentucky

Somerset Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. SCC is a medium-sized school located in Somerset, Kentucky that handed out 77 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SCC is $4,858 for Kentucky Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Somerset Community College

23

With a ranking of #23, Owensboro Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, this small public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Owensboro Community and Technical College is $5,542 for kentucky nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Owensboro Community and Technical College

24

With a ranking of #24, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. SKYCTC is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is $5,617 for kentucky nursing students.

Full SKYCTC Nursing Report

25

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky that handed out 38 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,645 for Kentucky Nursing students per year to attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

Read full report on Nursing at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

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