2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Kentucky
Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Our analysis ranked University Of Kentucky the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. About 380 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $102,363 early in their careers. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Kentucky
A rank of #2 makes Galen College Of Nursing Louisville one of the top schools for registered nursing. Set in the city of Louisville, Galen College Of Nursing Louisville is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Galen College Of Nursing Louisville graduates 23% of students within six years. About 1,608 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Galen College Of Nursing Louisville in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Galen College Of Nursing Louisville earn around $72,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $40,317.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Galen College Of Nursing Louisville
A rank of #3 makes University Of Louisville one of the top schools for registered nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 292 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $68,762. Typical student debt for the program is $23,205.
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University Of The Cumberlands is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 130 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $89,456 early in their careers. University Of The Cumberlands graduates carry a median of $29,400 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Gateway Community And Technical College, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Florence. There were roughly 116 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Gateway Community And Technical College earn around $67,888 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,376.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Gateway Community And Technical College
Sullivan University landed the #6 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. There were roughly 141 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Sullivan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Sullivan University generally make around $68,824. Typical student debt for the program is $47,035.
See the full registered nursing program report for Sullivan University
Western Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 283 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $84,066. Typical student debt for the program is $23,665.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Western Kentucky University
West Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. West Kentucky Community And Technical College awarded about 106 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn around $58,951 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from West Kentucky Community And Technical College
Pikeville College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pikeville. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pikeville College awarded about 56 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $79,724. Typical student debt for the program is $25,379.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Pikeville College
Northern Kentucky University came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 782 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $102,793 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northern Kentucky University
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College awarded about 71 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $62,002. Typical student debt for the program is $13,137.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Jefferson Community And Technical College earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Louisville. About 86 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Jefferson Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Jefferson Community And Technical College earn around $63,784 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,271 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Jefferson Community And Technical College
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College awarded about 58 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn around $62,552 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523.
See the full registered nursing program report for Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College
Murray State University came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 101 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Murray State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $127,240. Typical student debt for the program is $25,082.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Murray State University
Somerset Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. There were roughly 91 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Somerset Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $62,747 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,842.
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Eastern Kentucky University landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the town of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 252 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Eastern Kentucky University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $79,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,685 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Eastern Kentucky University
Berea College placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Berea. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 12 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Berea College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $67,510. Typical student debt for the program is $5,801.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Berea College
Bellarmine University earned the #18 position for registered nursing this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 102 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bellarmine University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $81,384 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,800.
See the full registered nursing program report for Bellarmine University
Ashland Community And Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. About 49 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Ashland Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $64,909 early in their careers. 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
Thomas More College earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Thomas More College awarded about 17 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Thomas More College earn a median of $70,955 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
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Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. There were roughly 183 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bluegrass Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $62,832 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Madisonville Community College placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. There were roughly 71 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Madisonville Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $55,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,999 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Madisonville Community College
Owensboro Community And Technical College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Owensboro. Owensboro Community And Technical College awarded about 65 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Students borrow a median of $13,624 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Owensboro Community And Technical College
Galen College Of Nursing Arh came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Galen College Of Nursing Arh is a small private for-profit institution. About 89 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Galen College Of Nursing Arh in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $68,114 in their early career. Galen College Of Nursing Arh graduates carry a median of $34,859 in student loans.
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Hazard Community And Technical College came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hazard. There were roughly 56 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Hazard Community And Technical College 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.
Get the full registered nursing details for Hazard Community And Technical College
Rest of the Top 41 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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 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.
