Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
Earn your degree online in the Bluegrass State. Learn about the best online colleges in Kentucky.
At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, "What information is vital to students right now?" Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed
6,000+ Users connected with programs every month
300+ College and university partners
40+ Expert reviewers
Learn more about our Editorial Policy and Standards and Advertising Disclosure.
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
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.
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.
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY4 yearCampus + Online
$11,496
$30,913
95%
43%
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.
$12,583
$32,896
85%
31,547
Public
Yes
$11,496
$30,913
Lexington, KY4 yearCampus + Online
$11,496
$30,913
95%
43%
$12,583
$32,896
85%
31,547
Public
Yes
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.
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY4 yearCampus + Online
$12,336
$28,680
81%
55%
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.
$13,944
$28,906
81%
22,139
Public
Yes
$12,336
$28,680
Louisville, KY4 yearCampus + Online
$12,336
$28,680
81%
55%
$13,944
$28,906
81%
22,139
Public
Yes
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.
Murray State University
Murray, KY4 yearCampus + Online
$9,708
$14,742
86%
49%
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.
$9,144
$9,144
76%
9,857
Public
Yes
$9,708
$14,742
Murray, KY4 yearCampus + Online
$9,708
$14,742
86%
49%
$9,144
$9,144
76%
9,857
Public
Yes
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.
Midway University
Midway, KY2 yearCampus + Online
$24,500
$24,500
94%
76%
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.
$7,200
$7,200
74%
1,881
Private
Yes
$24,500
$24,500
Midway, KY2 yearCampus + Online
$24,500
$24,500
94%
76%
$7,200
$7,200
74%
1,881
Private
Yes
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.
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
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.
Explore More College Resources
Is There an HBCU in Kentucky?
Want to attend an HBCU in Kentucky, but don’t know what options you have? Here’s what you need to know about HBCUs in Kentucky.
Updated August 31, 2023
Best Community Colleges in Kentucky
The higher education experts at BestColleges have reviewed top community colleges in Kentucky. Start planning your future today.
Updated October 31, 2024
Best Colleges in Tennessee
Check out our ranking of the best colleges in Tennessee. Explore the benefits of earning your degree in the Volunteer State, including the cultural and economic opportunities available.
Updated February 5, 2025
Other Generic Resources
General
careers