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 $56,310.
- In Kentucky, 59.7% of students take at least some online courses.
- Kentucky’s colleges and universities enroll more than 330,000 students annually.
5 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Kentucky
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
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.
- You must secure your own field placements in academic programs that require them.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council on Social Work Education
- 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
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.
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
- 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
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 requirements
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
- 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
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
- 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
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.
- 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
- 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 (2024) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 45.2% | $113,870 | Master’s degree |
| Statisticians | 30.8% | $103,400 | Master’s degree |
| Information Security Analysts | 30.1% | $98,210 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 28.8% | $100,260 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Physician Assistants | 27.0% | $110,300 | Master’s degree |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 26.9% | $82,860 | Master’s degree |
| Nuclear Engineers | 25% | N/A | Bachelor’s degree |
| Forensic Science Technicians | 25% | $58,230 | 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 (2024) | Growth Rate (2022-2032) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrists | $229,630 | 10.5% | Doctorate |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $212,430 | 12.5% | Master’s degree |
| Chief Executives | $146,630 | -7.6% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Managers | $125,490 | 16.7% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Marketing Managers | $123,480 | 6.5% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Chemical Engineers | $112,390 | 11.8% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Software Developers | $106,200 | 24.2% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Computer Network Architects | $106,990 | 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.
