2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Kentucky
Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Kentucky.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Our analysis ranked University Of Kentucky the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Kentucky awarded about 359 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $102,363 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Kentucky
A rank of #2 makes Galen College Of Nursing Louisville one of the top schools for registered nursing. Galen College Of Nursing Louisville is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. Galen College Of Nursing Louisville awarded about 1,491 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Galen College Of Nursing Louisville earn a median of $72,174 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $40,317.
See the full registered nursing program report for Galen College Of Nursing Louisville
University Of The Cumberlands is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of The Cumberlands graduates 50% of students within six years. University Of The Cumberlands awarded about 144 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $89,456 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,400.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of The Cumberlands
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Louisville, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Louisville awarded about 293 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $68,762 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,205.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Louisville
A rank of #5 makes Sullivan University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Sullivan University awarded about 165 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Sullivan University earn around $68,824 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $47,035.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Sullivan University
Gateway Community And Technical College came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Gateway Community And Technical College awarded about 98 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $67,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,376 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Gateway Community And Technical College
Western Kentucky University placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 273 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Western Kentucky University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Western Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $23,665 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Western Kentucky University
Pikeville College came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Pikeville College awarded about 62 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $79,724 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,379 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Pikeville College
West Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 93 registered nursing degrees were awarded at West Kentucky Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for West Kentucky Community And Technical College
Murray State University earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 104 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Murray State University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $127,240 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,082 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Murray State University
Somerset Community College earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Somerset Community College awarded about 83 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $62,747. Somerset Community College graduates carry a median of $15,842 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Somerset Community College
Northern Kentucky University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 864 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $102,793 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
Get the full registered nursing details for Northern Kentucky University
Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #13 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 86 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Jefferson Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Jefferson Community And Technical College earn a median of $63,784 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,271 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Jefferson Community And Technical College
Berea College earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Berea College graduates 58% of students within six years. Berea College awarded about 17 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $67,510. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Berea College
Bellarmine University came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Bellarmine University awarded about 146 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $81,384. Bellarmine University graduates carry a median of $30,800 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Bellarmine University
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. There were roughly 59 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn around $62,002 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,137 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 53 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $62,552 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #18 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 215 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Eastern Kentucky University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $79,966. Typical student debt for the program is $25,685.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Eastern Kentucky University
Ashland Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Ashland Community And Technical College awarded about 75 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Ashland Community And Technical College earn around $64,909 in the first couple years of their career. Ashland Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,756 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Ashland Community And Technical College
Galen College Of Nursing Arh ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Hazard, Galen College Of Nursing Arh is a small private for-profit university. Galen College Of Nursing Arh awarded about 161 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Galen College Of Nursing Arh earn around $68,114 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $34,859 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Galen College Of Nursing Arh
Thomas More College came in at #21 for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Thomas More College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Thomas More College earn a median of $70,955 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
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Lindsey Wilson College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lindsey Wilson College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $66,800 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Lindsey Wilson College
Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. Bluegrass Community And Technical College awarded about 147 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $62,832. Bluegrass Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #24 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Hazard Community And Technical College awarded about 61 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $65,822 in their early career. Hazard Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Hazard Community And Technical College
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 61 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $61,155 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,729.
Get the full registered nursing details for Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College
Rest of the Top 40 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
