Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2024

BEST IN KENTUCKY GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By 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. Spalding University
  6. University of the Cumberlands
  7. Campbellsville University
  8. Sullivan University
  9. Lindsey Wilson College
  1. University of Kentucky 94%
  2. Spalding University 90%
  3. Bellarmine University 86%
  4. University of the Cumberlands 85%
  5. Northern Kentucky University 80%
  6. Campbellsville University 78%
  7. University of Louisville 75%
  1. University of the Cumberlands 20 to 1
  2. University of Louisville 19 to 1
  3. Northern Kentucky University 18 to 1
  4. University of Kentucky 16 to 1
  5. Lindsey Wilson College 16 to 1
  6. Campbellsville University 14 to 1
  7. Bellarmine University 13 to 1
  8. Spalding University 11 to 1
  9. Sullivan University 10 to 1
  1. Bellarmine University $44,920
  2. Spalding University $26,550
  3. Lindsey Wilson College $25,718
  4. Campbellsville University $25,000
  5. Sullivan University $13,500
  6. University of Louisville $12,174
  7. University of Kentucky $11,247
  8. Northern Kentucky University $10,008
  9. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  1. Sullivan University $15,840
  2. Bellarmine University $13,652
  3. University of Louisville $13,524
  4. University of Kentucky $12,311
  5. Spalding University $12,006
  6. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  7. Lindsey Wilson College $9,548
  8. Campbellsville University $8,473
  9. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  1. Lindsey Wilson College
  2. Sullivan University
  3. Campbellsville University
  4. University of the Cumberlands
  5. Spalding University
  6. Bellarmine University
  7. Northern Kentucky University
  8. University of Louisville
  9. University of Kentucky
  1. University of Louisville 75%
  2. Campbellsville University 78%
  3. Northern Kentucky University 80%
  4. University of the Cumberlands 85%
  5. Bellarmine University 86%
  6. Spalding University 90%
  7. University of Kentucky 94%
  1. Sullivan University 10 to 1
  2. Spalding University 11 to 1
  3. Bellarmine University 13 to 1
  4. Campbellsville University 14 to 1
  5. University of Kentucky 16 to 1
  6. Lindsey Wilson College 16 to 1
  7. Northern Kentucky University 18 to 1
  8. University of Louisville 19 to 1
  9. University of the Cumberlands 20 to 1
  1. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  2. Northern Kentucky University $10,008
  3. University of Kentucky $11,247
  4. University of Louisville $12,174
  5. Sullivan University $13,500
  6. Campbellsville University $25,000
  7. Lindsey Wilson College $25,718
  8. Spalding University $26,550
  9. Bellarmine University $44,920
  1. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  2. Campbellsville University $8,473
  3. Lindsey Wilson College $9,548
  4. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  5. Spalding University $12,006
  6. University of Kentucky $12,311
  7. University of Louisville $13,524
  8. Bellarmine University $13,652
  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 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

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

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/24

    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

    85%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1035/21

    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
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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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