2027 Best Colleges for the Money (No Aid) in Kentucky
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Kentucky? We have ranked 75 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 75 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
Choosing the Best School for You
After analyzing 75 schools in Kentucky to determine which deliver the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
What We Measure
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. View our full ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Top 25 Best Colleges for the Money in Kentucky
Explore the best values below:
For return on investment, no school beat Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College this year in Kentucky. Located in Bowling Green, KY, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt is $12,068. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,242 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 75 schools in Kentucky in this year's value ranking, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Elizabethtown, KY. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College students take on a median of $12,245 in debt. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $36,143 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
Out of the 75 schools in Kentucky in this year's value ranking, Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #3 spot. Hazard Community And Technical College is a public school based in Hazard, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. The median program debt is $12,212. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,868. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Henderson Community College one of the best values in Kentucky. This public school is set in Henderson, KY. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Henderson Community College students take on a median of $13,528 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,714. That is a strong return on a $13,528 median debt.
You'll get strong value at West Kentucky Community And Technical College, which ranked #5 this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public school based in Paducah, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. West Kentucky Community And Technical College students take on a median of $10,778 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #6 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Set in Florence, KY, Gateway Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt is $11,611. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,147 ten years after entry. Set against $11,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Owensboro, KY, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,098 in student loans. Median earnings reach $35,798 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Somerset Community College landed the #8 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Set in Somerset, KY, Somerset Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans. Median earnings reach $30,787 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,722 median debt.
Berea College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Berea, KY, Berea College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. The median program debt is $5,801. Berea College alumni report median earnings of $43,150 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. About 19% of those who apply are admitted.
Madisonville Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Madisonville Community College is a public school based in Madisonville, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $10,985. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,733 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values in Kentucky. Located in Cumberland, KY, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. The median program debt is $9,687. Median earnings reach $29,482 ten years out. Set against $9,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Prestonsburg, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $11,588. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,954. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Maysville Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Maysville, KY, Maysville Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Maysville Community And Technical College students take on a median of $13,031 in debt. Maysville Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $32,194 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ashland Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Ashland, KY, Ashland Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Ashland Community And Technical College students take on a median of $13,485 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,504. That is a strong return on a $13,485 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Highland Heights, KY, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. The median program debt is $25,572. Northern Kentucky University alumni report median earnings of $50,220 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. About 68% of those who apply are admitted.
Jefferson Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Louisville, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,171 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College landed the #17 spot for value in Kentucky this year. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $13,366. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,343. That is a strong return on a $13,366 median debt.
Murray State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Murray State University is a public school based in Murray, KY. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $23,420. Murray State University alumni report median earnings of $44,737 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University has an acceptance rate of 86%.
Hopkinsville Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Hopkinsville, KY, Hopkinsville Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Hopkinsville Community College students take on a median of $13,269 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,323. Set against $13,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morehead State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Morehead, KY, Morehead State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $43,197 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted.
Western Kentucky University placed #21 among the best values in Kentucky. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,889 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University landed the #22 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Set in Frankfort, KY, Kentucky State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $29,774. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,382. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Brescia University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Owensboro, KY, Brescia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,550 in tuition and fees. The median program debt is $33,995. Brescia University alumni report median earnings of $45,500 a decade after entry. Set against $33,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brescia University admits about 35% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Located in Richmond, KY, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt is $25,122. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,795 ten years after entry. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Williamsburg, KY, University Of The Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,036 ten years after entry. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 99% of those who apply are admitted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in Kentucky
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
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Notes and References
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 75 schools evaluated.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
