by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Kentucky ranks #1 of 33 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Kentucky ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 52% six-year graduation rate and $59,533 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Kentucky, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **33** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 33 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of Kentucky leads the 33 ranked colleges in Kentucky, followed by University Of Louisville (#2) and Galen College Of Nursing Louisville (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of Kentucky to be the best college in Kentucky. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. University Of Kentucky posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at University Of Louisville earned it the #2 place in Kentucky. This public school is set in Louisville, KY. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,534. University Of Louisville students take on a median of $21,910 in debt.
Out of the 33 colleges in Kentucky in this year's ranking, Galen College Of Nursing Louisville landed the #3 spot. Based in Louisville, KY, Galen College Of Nursing Louisville is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,726. Students borrow a median of $32,425 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 33 colleges in Kentucky in this year's ranking, Centre College landed the #4 spot. Based in Danville, KY, Centre College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $52,820 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $32,327. Centre College students take on a median of $26,560 in debt.
A rank of #5 makes Bellarmine University one of the top colleges in Kentucky. This private not-for-profit school is set in Louisville, KY. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,024 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,766.
Transylvania University landed the #6 spot in Kentucky this year. Transylvania University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lexington, KY. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,208. Typical student debt is $26,653.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Williamsburg, KY, University Of The Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,547. The median student debt is $22,868.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Highland Heights, KY, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. Northern Kentucky University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,565. The median student debt is $25,572.
Thomas More College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Thomas More College is a private not-for-profit school based in Crestview Hills, KY. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $57,440. Thomas More College students take on a median of $31,608 in debt.
Murray State University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Murray State University is a public school based in Murray, KY. Murray State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $48,423. Graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans.
Berea College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Berea, KY. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Berea College graduates report median early-career earnings of $31,428. Typical student debt is $5,801.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Louisville, KY, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates report median early-career earnings of $74,388.
Western Kentucky University placed #13 among the best colleges in Kentucky. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. About 58% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,778. Western Kentucky University students take on a median of $24,499 in debt.
Georgetown College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Georgetown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Georgetown, KY. Georgetown College graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,752. Graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans.
Asbury University landed the #15 spot in Kentucky this year. Set in Wilmore, KY, Asbury University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $33,640. Median early-career earnings reach $50,086. The median student debt is $28,104.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Richmond, KY. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Eastern Kentucky University students take on a median of $25,122 in debt.
Spalding University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Louisville, KY, Spalding University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,978. Students borrow a median of $29,862 to complete a degree here.
Campbellsville University placed #18 among the best colleges in Kentucky. Set in Campbellsville, KY, Campbellsville University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $43,474. Graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans.
Morehead State University landed the #19 spot in Kentucky this year. Set in Morehead, KY, Morehead State University is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,896.
Lindsey Wilson College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Columbia, KY, Lindsey Wilson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $37,808. Typical student debt is $24,119.
Midway College placed #21 among the best colleges in Kentucky. Set in Midway, KY, Midway College is a private not-for-profit institution. Midway College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,110. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,586. Midway College students take on a median of $26,723 in debt.
Pikeville College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Pikeville, KY, Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,157 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $22,966 in student loans.
Kentucky Wesleyan College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit school based in Owensboro, KY. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,673. Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates report median early-career earnings of $32,568. The median student debt is $25,333.
Kentucky Christian University landed the #24 spot in Kentucky this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grayson, KY. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,300. Early-career graduates earn a median of $71,465. The median student debt is $27,500.
Sullivan University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private for-profit school is set in Louisville, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,104 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $28,394.
These 8 colleges rank #26 through #33 of 33 in Kentucky. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.