There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Kentucky ranking.
After analyzing 24 schools in Kentucky, we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
Better Early-Career Average Salaries
The average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. A bachelor's degree holder from a school in Kentucky makes an average starting salary of $35,941, but the students who attended schools in the top 24 of our list make an average of $36,070.
Starting Salary ( 29815 to 40655 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, bachelor's degree seekers from schools in Kentucky take out an average of $26,734.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.
Our 2024 rankings named University of Kentucky the best school in Kentucky in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Kentucky is a large public school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 5,377 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UK go into careers with an average salary of $36,469 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $24,580 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $388.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Louisville helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Kentucky. UofL is a public institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,083 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UofL make an average of $40,511 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $23,215 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $239.
Out of the 24 bachelor’s degree schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Centre College landed the #3 spot on the list. Centre College of Kentucky is located in Danville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 407 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Centre College of Kentucky go into careers with an average salary of $28,805 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,023 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $630.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of the Cumberlands. The school came in at #4 in Kentucky on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 799 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Cumberlands make an average of $32,604 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $22,043 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $86.
Out of the 24 bachelor’s degree schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellarmine University landed the #5 spot on the list. Bellarmine U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 702 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Bellarmine U is $37,087 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,148. This translates to an average monthly payment of $272 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Northern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #6. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,289 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,625 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,680 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $199 for a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #7, Western Kentucky University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. WKU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 3,055 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from WKU go into careers with an average salary of $34,111 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,415 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $220 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Brescia University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 128 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Brescia University go into careers with an average salary of $34,450 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $41,125.
Berea College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #9. Berea is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berea, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 299 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Berea make an average of $27,227 per year during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #10, Transylvania University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 240 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Transylvania is $40,280 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,467.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 2,456 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Eastern go into careers with an average salary of $34,040 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,745 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $185 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Murray State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Murray State is a public institution located in Murray, Kentucky. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,603 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Murray State make an average of $35,592 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,026. Average monthly loan payments are around $228 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Lindsey Wilson College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Columbia, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 416 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Lindsey Wilson College make an average of $33,736 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,024 after getting their degree.
Thomas More University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, and it awarded 307 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Thomas More is $51,339 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $31,819 in student loans.
Spalding University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 295 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Spalding make an average of $35,792 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $29,888 in student loans.
Campbellsville University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking, coming in at #16. Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 475 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University go into careers with an average salary of $33,395 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,017.
With a ranking of #17, Asbury University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Wilmore, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 359 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $31,881 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $28,467 in student loans.
With a ranking of #18, Midway University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Midway, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 165 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Midway go into careers with an average salary of $38,264 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $27,032.
Morehead State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Morehead, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,170 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University is $34,879 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $27,261 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $107 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Sullivan University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Sullivan University is located in Louisville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 206 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Sullivan University make an average of $45,009 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $39,733 in student loans.
With a ranking of #21, University of Pikeville did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Pikeville, Kentucky, and it awarded 180 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UPIKE make an average of $28,375 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,188 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #22, Union College Kentucky did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Barbourville, Kentucky, and it awarded 206 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Union College is $44,175 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,827 in student loans.
Kentucky Christian University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Grayson, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Kentucky Christian University make an average of $36,451 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,854 after getting their degree.
Kentucky State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Frankfort, Kentucky, and it awarded 156 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from KY State is $33,582 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $33,850 after getting their degree.
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).
Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
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