Best Online Colleges in Kentucky of 2025
Best known for its horse racing and bourbon, Kentucky is also an ideal spot to pursue an education and start your career. The state features well-respected schools (in person and online) and programs in many disciplines, along with flourishing healthcare, manufacturing, and agricultural technology industries.
In this guide, discover the online colleges in Kentucky and the professional opportunities that make the state a winning choice.
Kentucky at a Glance
- In Kentucky, 27.8% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- There are 50 nonprofit degree-granting institutions in the state.
- The average annual salary in Kentucky is $54,030.
- In Kentucky, 59.7% of students take at least some online courses.
- Kentucky’s colleges and universities enroll more than 330,000 students annually.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
5 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Kentucky
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,600
- Out-of-state$25,600
- In-State$8,904
- Out-of-state$8,904
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,775
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Spalding University
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$26,900
- Out-of-state$26,900
- In-State$13,075
- Out-of-state$13,075
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled1,532
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Brescia University
- Owensboro, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,000
- Out-of-state$27,000
- In-State$15,500
- Out-of-state$15,500
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled646
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
University of Louisville
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,336
- Out-of-state$28,680
- In-State$13,944
- Out-of-state$28,906
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled22,139
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,512
- Out-of-state$21,096
- In-State$9,900
- Out-of-state$15,210
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled14,964
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
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Who Accredits Online Schools in Kentucky?
Online colleges in Kentucky require institutional accreditation for several reasons, including providing federal financial aid, offering widely accepted transfer credits, and demonstrating academic quality for students and employers.
Any institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education can accredit schools in Kentucky, but the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the state’s primary accreditor.
Students in fields that require licensure, like social work and nursing, also need to look for programmatic accreditation, such as that from the Council on Social Work Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Programmatic accreditation ensures that the education meets state licensure requirements.
Why Attend a Kentucky College Online?
- Earn your degree without needing to move to a new city or state.
- Balance your studies with work, childcare, and other responsibilities.
- Save money on tuition, class materials, travel, and room and board.
- Study whenever and wherever you like with asynchronous online classes.
How Much Does College Cost in Kentucky?
According to NCES, Kentucky’s tuition costs are generally higher than the national averages, including in-state rates for students at public four-year universities. Only the out-of-state rate in public four-year colleges comes in lower than the national average, while the out-of-state rate in two-year schools nearly doubles the national average.
Along with tuition, you also need to consider the costs of room and board, travel, and materials. For out-of-state students, several Kentucky schools have reciprocity agreements in place with Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Students from one of the Southern Regional Education Board‘s 14 other member states may also qualify for tuition discounts in Kentucky through the Academic Common Market.
Financial Aid for Kentucky Students
To help students manage the state’s tuition prices, Kentucky offers several financial aid programs, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Here are some of the main programs available:
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship: A merit-based award for Kentucky high school students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
- College Access Program Grant: A needs-based award for students attending eligible public and private colleges
- Kentucky Tuition Grant: A needs-based award for students attending one of the state’s private colleges
- Early Childhood Development Scholarship: Financial awards for working childcare professionals in pursuit of an education in early childhood education
- Teacher Recruitment Loan Program: A forgivable loan for students pursuing teacher certification in the state
Popular Cities for Students and Professionals in Kentucky
Several Kentucky cities stand out for their strong postsecondary and professional landscapes, but the following three may offer the best opportunities:
- Louisville: The biggest city in the state, Louisville is home to 17 colleges and universities, including the University of Louisville. The city also houses hubs for some of Kentucky’s key industries, including the healthcare, business services, food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Lexington: Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington hosts the University of Kentucky, along with nine other colleges and universities. While Lexington shares many industry strengths with Louisville, it also offers unique opportunities in agricultural technology, biotechnology, and logistics.
- Bowling Green: Despite having a population of just over 75,000, Bowling Green is one of Kentucky’s most important cities. A state leader in healthcare and technology, Bowling Green also has a sizeable postsecondary presence with Western Kentucky University and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. Notably, the city is considered one of the top manufacturing cities in the country.
Career Opportunities in Kentucky
While Kentucky might be best known for its bourbon production, the state has several prominent sectors, including its healthcare, manufacturing, and automotive industries. The state’s unemployment rate hit 5.1% in November 2024, higher than the 4.2% national rate, but Kentucky jobs increased in seven of its top 11 industries.
Kentucky also has a significant agriculture sector, which contributes more than 500,000 jobs and nearly $50 billion to the state’s economy.
What are the fastest-growing jobs in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, the fastest-growing jobs belong to some of the nation’s fastest-growing sectors, including healthcare and information technology. Most of these professions require advanced skills for entry, making them more difficult positions to fill. It also means that these careers tend to come with significant financial rewards.
| Job | Growth Rate (2022-2032) | Median Annual Wage (2023) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 45.2% | $109,530 | Master’s degree |
| Statisticians | 30.8% | $95,940 | Master’s degree |
| Information Security Analysts | 30.1% | $92,580 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 28.8% | $97,550 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Physician Assistants | 27.0% | $103,490 | Master’s degree |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 26.9% | $116,250 | Master’s degree |
| Nuclear Engineers | 25% | NA | Bachelor’s degree |
| Forensic Science Technicians | 25% | $54,560 | Bachelor’s degree |
What are the top-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The top-paying jobs in Kentucky typically belong to managerial positions or roles in healthcare and information technology with high skill and education requirements. Even though most of the careers listed in the table below show a bachelor’s degree as the minimum requirement, many employers prefer candidates with more advanced degrees and professional experience.
| Job | Median Annual Wage (2023) | Growth Rate (2022-2032) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrists | $220,870 | 10.5% | Doctorate |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $212,600 | 12.5% | Master’s degree |
| Chief Executives | $171,990 | -7.6% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Managers | $122,770 | 16.7% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Marketing Managers | $115,390 | 6.5% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Chemical Engineers | $112,210 | 11.8% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Software Developers | $103,030 | 24.2% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Computer Network Architects | $102,780 | 3.1% | Bachelor’s degree |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Kentucky
Kentucky is home to 87 colleges and universities, according to NCES. This includes eight four-year public schools, 16 public two-year schools, and 63 private nonprofit and for-profit schools. While the state only has two entirely online colleges (Frontier Nursing University and Lexington Theological Seminary), over half of Kentucky students take some or all of their classes online.
