Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
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In the Bluegrass State, having a college degree pays off. Kentuckians with a bachelor's degree earn nearly a million dollars more than those with a high school diploma over the course of their careers, according to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Kentucky online colleges make it easier to finish your degree. With flexible schedules and dozens of majors, online colleges are a great choice if you're a busy student.
Our ranking of online colleges in Kentucky can help you find the best fit for your budget and career goals.
Related Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $611
Out-of-State | $611
Credits to Graduate: 120
Kentucky’s largest college also offers online degrees. At the University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, you’ll pay the same tuition rate regardless of your residency status when enrolled in UK Online. The public university offers flexible online programs that support students with success coaches and learning services.
Choose from over 80 fully online programs, including business, criminal justice, engineering, and healthcare. You can also explore information sciences, agriculture, or art as a distance learner. Most classes do not require set meeting times, giving you maximum flexibility in your schedule.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $527
Out-of-State | $527
Credits to Graduate: 120
Located between downtown Louisville and historic Churchill Downs, the University of Louisville enrolls more than 23,000 students. You can earn your degree online at the public university without ever visiting campus.
UofL Online offers bachelor’s, master’s and certificate programs. Explore fields like communication, healthcare leadership, or political science as an online student. You can also design your own course of study and maximize transfer credits with a general studies major. With more than 60 program options, you can find one that matches your academic interests and career goals.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Asbury University
Wilmore, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $399
Out-of-State | $399
Credits to Graduate: 124
Want to attend an online Christian college in Kentucky? Consider Asbury University. The private institution offers more than 130 areas of study, with degree-completion options and graduate programs. You can join over 1,900 students on the campus 20 minutes from Lexington or earn your degree online.
Asbury's online programs offer affordable tuition rates and eight-week classes. Choose from popular majors like business management, education, or social work. Or earn your associate degree online. You can start your program at almost any time, with five start dates throughout the year.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Murray State University
Murray, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $405
Out-of-State | $428-$614
Credits to Graduate: 120
Founded in 1922, Murray State is a public institution in western Kentucky, in a small town just north of the Tennessee border. You can also enroll in its online programs.
Earn your undergraduate degree online with 12 majors, including agribusiness, computer information systems, human services, or social work. Murray State also offers 19 online master’s programs and three online doctorates. If you live in a Southern or Midwestern state, you may qualify for the public college’s regional tuition discount, which offers a significant discount on out-of-state tuition.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Midway University
Midway, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $395
Out-of-State | $395
Credits to Graduate: 120
A private liberal arts college located on a 200-acre campus with a working horse farm, Midway University stands out for its flexible programs for busy students. Its campus is located just 15 minutes outside Lexington, but you can also enroll in its online programs.
You can earn a degree in accounting, criminal justice, education, or finance. Or choose a unique option like a minor in equine business or bourbon studies. The interdisciplinary studies program lets you customize a degree, while online graduate programs in business administration and education allow you to advance in your field.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Cost of College in Kentucky
How much should you expect to pay for a college degree in Kentucky? The state's public universities cost around $11,000 in tuition and fees per year, which is slightly above the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
You can save money by comparing affordable online colleges in Kentucky. By choosing to complete your degree online, you can potentially save money on tuition, living expenses, and transportation costs.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-year (In-State) | $11,107 |
| Public 4-year (Out-of-State) | $25,325 |
| Private 4-year | $27,553 |
| Public 2-year (In-State) | $4,516 |
| Public 2-year (Out-of-State) | $15,262 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Kentucky
Many of the fastest-growing jobs in Kentucky require a college degree. Kentucky's fastest-growing occupation is nurse practitioners, with a 44% projected growth rate.
You'll need a bachelor's degree for in-demand roles like healthcare manager, industrial engineer, or operations research analyst. In Kentucky, these roles will grow by 20% or more over the next ten years, according to BLS projections.
Kentucky online colleges can prepare you for roles in business, healthcare, tech, and education, fields that employ hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians.
| Job | Job Growth 2021-2031 | Education Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 44% | Master's degree |
| Statisticians | 31% | Master's degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 28% | Bachelor's degree |
| Physician Assistants | 26% | Master's degree |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | 25% | Bachelor's degree |
| Logisticians | 24% | Bachelor's degree |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | 23% | Bachelor's degree |
| Industrial Engineers | 22% | Bachelor's degree |
| Operations Research Analysts | 21% | Bachelor's degree |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 20% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Kentucky
What is the #1 college in Kentucky?
Kentucky's top public colleges include the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Private institutions like Bellarmine University and Centre College are also among the best colleges in Kentucky.
How many online colleges are in Kentucky?
Kentucky is home to dozens of online colleges, including nearly 40 four-year colleges and 20 two-year colleges. You can also choose from public, private, and for-profit colleges that offer online programs.
Can you go to college for free in Kentucky?
Yes, you can go to college for free in Kentucky. Berea College offers tuition-free college, and the Work Ready Kentucky scholarship offers two years of tuition-free college to eligible students. In addition, many students qualify for grants and scholarships that lower the cost of college.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Kentucky?
Western Kentucky University is one of the easiest online colleges to get into in Kentucky. WKU Online offers more than 80 online programs, and the public college admits 97% of applicants, according to NCES data from Fall 2022.
Can you go to the University of Kentucky online?
Yes, you can go to the University of Kentucky online. By enrolling in UK Online, you can choose from over 80 online programs, including bachelor's and master's programs, in a fully online format. UK charges a flat tuition rate for online programs regardless of residency status.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 28, 2024.
