Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
Best known for its horse racing and bourbon, Kentucky is also an attractive spot to pursue an education and start your career. The state features well-respected schools and programs (in person and online) in many disciplines, along with flourishing healthcare, manufacturing, and agricultural technology industries.
In this guide, discover the professional opportunities and online colleges in Kentucky that make the state a winning choice.
Kentucky at a Glance
- There are 34 four-year nonprofit institutions in Kentucky.
- Around 28% of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- In fall 2023, 59.6% of students at Kentucky institutions were enrolled in online courses.
- In fall 2023, over 101,000 students aged 25 and over were enrolled at Kentucky colleges.
5 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Kentucky
Campbellsville University
- Campbellsville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Campbellsville University, a private school in central Kentucky, offers 88 online academic programs across fields like education, nursing, business, and social work. Tuition costs per credit range from $319-$603, depending on the program.Â
Highlights
- Has a 23-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Requires $75 per term for graduate students but no other fees beyond tuition
- Participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, offering low tuition for qualified military members
Know Before You Apply
- As a Christian university, Campbellsville provides a Christ-centered community with diverse perspectives.Â
- You must secure your own field placements in academic programs that require them.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council on Social Work EducationÂ
56%
$25,600
60%
$25,600
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,775
- Institution Type
- Private
Spalding University
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
As the first "certified compassionate" university in the world, Spalding University emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and making the world a better place. Its 20 online academic programs include business, nursing, education, social work, and occupational and physical therapy degrees. Â
Highlights
- Offers courses on a six-week schedule, with students taking two courses every six weeks
- Accelerates education by offering bachelor's-to-master's programs that save time and money
- Extends credit for CLEP, DSST, and military experiences
Know Before You Apply
- Spalding offers an education born out of the Catholic tradition for diverse students.
- Each new undergraduate student must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
56%
$26,900
71%
$26,900
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,532
- Institution Type
- Private
Brescia University
- Owensboro, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The Owensboro-based Brescia University offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees and a certificate in theology. The school also provides online communication sciences and disorder prerequisites so you can start your master's degree in speech-language pathology within a year.
Highlights
- Operates on an eight-week calendar, with new classes starting every two months
- Features a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Works with applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirementsÂ
Know Before You Apply
- Brescia offers an education from within the Catholic tradition.
- Some classes require live, real-time chat attendance.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education
71%
$27,000
77%
$27,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 50%
- Students Enrolled
- 646
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Louisville
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Founded in 1798, the University of Louisville (UofL) is among the nation's oldest city-owned universities and now offers 70-plus online programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees and doctorates. In 2022-2023, UofL awarded institutional grants and scholarships to 82% of first-time, full-time undergraduates.
Highlights
- Participates in the Federal Academic Alliance, so qualifying federal employees receive a 10% tuition discount
- Delivers most courses on five-week or eight-week calendars, enabling you to earn credits faster
- Offers many online programs in an asynchronous format so that you can study on your own schedule
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs require on-site internships or clinical hours.
- Select graduate programs have competitive admissions rates.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Social Work Education
55%
$12,336
81%
$28,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Students Enrolled
- 22,139
- Institution Type
- Public
Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) offers approximately 60 online academic programs in high-demand career fields such as teaching, business, technology, and healthcare. The university has a 77% retention rate for first-time, full-time students pursuing bachelor's degrees.
Highlights
- Allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits and complete your online bachelor's degree in less than 12 months
- Offers a Path to Success Scholarship, which lowers online tuition to $320 per credit
- Features five start dates per year
Know Before You Apply
- NKU charges online students a $16 per credit fee above the base tuition.Â
- The school has an overall graduation rate of 48%.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
74%
$10,512
78%
$21,096
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Students Enrolled
- 14,964
- Institution Type
- Public
Who Accredits Online Colleges in Kentucky?
Online colleges in Kentucky benefit from holding institutional accreditation for several reasons, including the ability to provide federal financial aid, offer transferable credits, and demonstrate academic quality to 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 primary accreditor in the state.
How Much Does College Cost in Kentucky?
Online colleges in Kentucky generally offer savings opportunities compared to national averages — especially to graduate students at private institutions. You can make your education more affordable and attainable by taking advantage of the many financial aid programs offered by Kentucky’s state government.
These include:
- College Access Program Grant: If you live in Kentucky and maintain at least half-time enrollment at a Kentucky school, you may qualify for aid through this need-based program.
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship: High school graduates with strong educational records can apply for this merit-based award offered by the Kentucky Department of Education.
- Kentucky Tuition Grant: This need-based program provides direct aid to students at private, not-for-profit Kentucky institutions.
To connect with additional state-specific student aid programs, explore the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority’s website.
Career Opportunities in Kentucky
$45,740
Median annual wage in KY (May 2024)
+4.8%
Projected job growth in KY (2022-2032)
4.7%
Unemployment rate in KY (August 2025)
Kentucky’s economy and labor market include many exciting opportunities for college graduates. For example, high-growth roles in the state that require only a community college education include computer numerically controlled tool programmer and physical therapist assistant.
Graduates of bachelor’s degree programs may want to consider one of the following high-growth career paths: information security analyst, medical and health services manager, and software developer.
Popular Cities for Recent Grads
Louisville
- Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city, with a metro area population of about 1.36 million.
- Employers posted nearly 47,000 job vacancies in the Louisville metro area from April-June 2025.
- The median home price in the Louisville metro area is only about 3.7 times the median annual income.
Lexington
- This city has a population of about 329,000 people (2024).
- Lexington rates well for safety, affordability, and salary potential, and it was named a Top 10 Best Big City to Live In by Money Magazine.
- Top-growing employment sectors include construction, information, financial services, and professional services.
Bowling Green
- This fast-growing city offers more than 800 acres of outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Bowling Green’s cost of living is about 11% below the national average.
- In May 2024, the city’s average hourly wages were relatively high in management ($49), legal services ($43), and healthcare practice and technology ($42).
Frequently Asked Questions
Kentucky is home to 89 postsecondary institutions, according to NCES. This includes eight four-year public schools, 16 public two-year schools, and 65 private nonprofit and for-profit schools.
