Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2024

Badge for BEST IN KENTUCKY GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Kentucky offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Best Grad Schools in Kentucky

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  1. University of Kentucky
  2. University of Louisville
  3. Northern Kentucky University
  4. Bellarmine University
  5. Campbellsville University
  6. University of the Cumberlands
  7. Sullivan University
  8. Spalding University
  9. Lindsey Wilson College
  1. University of Kentucky
  2. University of Louisville
  3. Northern Kentucky University
  4. Bellarmine University
  5. Spalding University
  6. Campbellsville University
  7. University of the Cumberlands
  8. Sullivan University
  9. Lindsey Wilson College
  1. Spalding University 98%
  2. University of Kentucky 95%
  3. Bellarmine University 88%
  4. Northern Kentucky University 86%
  5. University of the Cumberlands 83%
  6. University of Louisville 82%
  1. Campbellsville University 23 to 1
  2. University of the Cumberlands 18 to 1
  3. University of Kentucky 17 to 1
  4. Northern Kentucky University 17 to 1
  5. Lindsey Wilson College 17 to 1
  6. University of Louisville 13 to 1
  7. Sullivan University 13 to 1
  8. Bellarmine University 12 to 1
  9. Spalding University 9 to 1
  1. Bellarmine University $46,030
  2. Spalding University $27,300
  3. Lindsey Wilson College $26,228
  4. Campbellsville University $26,100
  5. Sullivan University $14,220
  6. University of Louisville $12,324
  7. University of Kentucky $11,496
  8. Northern Kentucky University $10,208
  9. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  1. Sullivan University $15,840
  2. University of Louisville $13,944
  3. Bellarmine University $13,785
  4. Spalding University $13,075
  5. University of Kentucky $12,583
  6. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  7. Lindsey Wilson College $9,635
  8. Campbellsville University $8,904
  9. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  1. Lindsey Wilson College
  2. Spalding University
  3. Sullivan University
  4. University of the Cumberlands
  5. Campbellsville University
  6. Bellarmine University
  7. Northern Kentucky University
  8. University of Louisville
  9. University of Kentucky
  1. Lindsey Wilson College
  2. Sullivan University
  3. University of the Cumberlands
  4. Campbellsville University
  5. Spalding University
  6. Bellarmine University
  7. Northern Kentucky University
  8. University of Louisville
  9. University of Kentucky
  1. University of Louisville 82%
  2. University of the Cumberlands 83%
  3. Northern Kentucky University 86%
  4. Bellarmine University 88%
  5. University of Kentucky 95%
  6. Spalding University 98%
  1. Spalding University 9 to 1
  2. Bellarmine University 12 to 1
  3. University of Louisville 13 to 1
  4. Sullivan University 13 to 1
  5. University of Kentucky 17 to 1
  6. Northern Kentucky University 17 to 1
  7. Lindsey Wilson College 17 to 1
  8. University of the Cumberlands 18 to 1
  9. Campbellsville University 23 to 1
  1. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  2. Northern Kentucky University $10,208
  3. University of Kentucky $11,496
  4. University of Louisville $12,324
  5. Sullivan University $14,220
  6. Campbellsville University $26,100
  7. Lindsey Wilson College $26,228
  8. Spalding University $27,300
  9. Bellarmine University $46,030
  1. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  2. Campbellsville University $8,904
  3. Lindsey Wilson College $9,635
  4. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  5. University of Kentucky $12,583
  6. Spalding University $13,075
  7. Bellarmine University $13,785
  8. University of Louisville $13,944
  9. Sullivan University $15,840

Colleges and Universities in Kentucky

Students who wish to attend traditional and online colleges in Kentucky have plenty of excellent options. Traditional students and distance learners alike have an array of affordable, accessible, and reputable undergraduate and graduate degrees to choose from.

Between community colleges, technical schools, and universities, Kentucky has 24 public schools. The community colleges and technical schools average $4,000 for tuition, and tuition for public universities ranges from $8,000 to $12,000. Online students pay the same in state tuition rates when enrolling in these public options.

Prospective students planning to attend private colleges can choose from 26 schools, of which 21 are religiously affiliated. The cost to attend private schools tends to be higher, reaching $42,000 in Kentucky. There are, however, some affordable private options with tuition rates as low as $9,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

The largest and top-rated public university is the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky has over 30,000 students and costs about $12,000. UK offers a wide range of traditional and fully online programs in areas like political science, chemistry, and literature.

Students who attend either the University of Louisville or Western Kentucky University will become part of a friendly basketball rivalry. Both of these universities also offer highly regarded graduate and undergraduate degrees in fields like mathematics, communications, business, and history.

Eastern Kentucky University is also among the top public colleges in Kentucky, with more than 14,000 students enrolled in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

In addition, Kentucky encourages graduating education students to apply for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program. This financial aid program awards $5,000 to $17,500 toward Federal Stafford loans to those remaining in the profession.

There is something for everyone in The Bluegrass State. Kentucky is home to the famous Kentucky Derby, the Daniel Boone National Forest, and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Both traditional and online Students wanting to study in a state that Abraham Lincoln and Muhammad Ali called home have 50 higher learning institutions from which to choose.

Kentucky has it all - associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Check out the top brick-and-mortar and online schools the state of Kentucky has to offer.


What are Kentucky’s Colleges & Universities?

Kentucky’s Best Overall


Kentucky's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 9 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Kentucky. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Kentucky is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2023

  1. #1

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    #14 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Kentucky

    Cost of Degree: $12,859
    Expenses: $20,206
    Starting Salary: $54,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Kentucky known for?

    University of Kentucky’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Louisville

    Louisville , KY
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Louisville

    Cost of Degree: $12,520
    Expenses: $19,160
    Starting Salary: $48,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Louisville known for?

    University of Louisville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    University of the Cumberlands

    Williamsburg , KY
    #6 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/19

    Career Outlook for degree at University of the Cumberlands

    Cost of Degree: $9,875
    Starting Salary: $38,200
    What is University of the Cumberlands known for?

    University of the Cumberlands’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Sullivan University

    Louisville , KY
    #8 Best Small Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Sullivan University

    Cost of Degree: $14,220
    Expenses: $18,501
    Starting Salary: $35,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Sullivan University known for?

    Sullivan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Spalding University

    Louisville , KY
    #7 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2024 #8 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Kentucky 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    981/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Spalding University

    Cost of Degree: $27,050
    Expenses: $16,490
    Starting Salary: $48,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Spalding University known for?

    Spalding University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  10. #9

    Lindsey Wilson College

    Columbia , KY
    #10 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #7 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2024 #14 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky #18 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lindsey Wilson College

    Cost of Degree: $26,228
    Expenses: $15,929
    Starting Salary: $31,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lindsey Wilson College known for?

    Lindsey Wilson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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Kentucky’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Kentucky
  2. University of Louisville
  3. Bellarmine University
  4. Spalding University
  5. University of the Cumberlands
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