Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2024

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Interested in attending a STEM school in Kentucky? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2024

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  1. University of Kentucky
  2. University of Louisville
  3. Western Kentucky University
  4. Northern Kentucky University
  5. Bellarmine University
  6. University of the Cumberlands
  7. Spalding University
  1. University of Kentucky
  2. University of Louisville
  3. Western Kentucky University
  4. Northern Kentucky University
  5. Bellarmine University
  6. Spalding University
  7. University of the Cumberlands
  1. Spalding University 98%
  2. Western Kentucky University 97%
  3. University of Kentucky 95%
  4. Bellarmine University 88%
  5. Northern Kentucky University 86%
  6. University of the Cumberlands 83%
  7. University of Louisville 82%
  1. Western Kentucky University 18 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. University of Louisville 13 to 1
  6. Bellarmine University 12 to 1
  7. Spalding University 9 to 1
  1. Bellarmine University $46,030
  2. Spalding University $27,300
  3. University of Louisville $12,324
  4. University of Kentucky $11,496
  5. Western Kentucky University $11,112
  6. Northern Kentucky University $10,208
  7. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  1. University of Louisville $13,944
  2. Bellarmine University $13,785
  3. Spalding University $13,075
  4. University of Kentucky $12,583
  5. Western Kentucky University $12,140
  6. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  7. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  1. Spalding University
  2. University of the Cumberlands
  3. Bellarmine University
  4. Northern Kentucky University
  5. Western Kentucky University
  6. University of Louisville
  7. University of Kentucky
  1. University of the Cumberlands
  2. Spalding University
  3. Bellarmine University
  4. Northern Kentucky University
  5. Western Kentucky University
  6. University of Louisville
  7. 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. Western Kentucky University 97%
  7. Spalding University 98%
  1. Spalding University 9 to 1
  2. Bellarmine University 12 to 1
  3. University of Louisville 13 to 1
  4. University of Kentucky 17 to 1
  5. Northern Kentucky University 17 to 1
  6. Western Kentucky University 18 to 1
  7. University of the Cumberlands 18 to 1
  1. University of the Cumberlands $9,875
  2. Northern Kentucky University $10,208
  3. Western Kentucky University $11,112
  4. University of Kentucky $11,496
  5. University of Louisville $12,324
  6. Spalding University $27,300
  7. Bellarmine University $46,030
  1. University of the Cumberlands $4,282
  2. Northern Kentucky University $9,900
  3. Western Kentucky University $12,140
  4. University of Kentucky $12,583
  5. Spalding University $13,075
  6. Bellarmine University $13,785
  7. University of Louisville $13,944

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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Kentucky's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 7 research universities in Kentucky. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2023

  1. #1

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    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

    University of Kentucky’s Online Degrees

    Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Health Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Medical Laboratory Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Information Communication Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    University of Louisville

    Louisville , KY
    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

    University of Louisville’s Online Degrees

    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accountancy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Communication
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Organizational Leadership & Learning
    Degree Concentrations
    • Counseling and Human Relations Track
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Healthcare Leadership Track
    • Career & Technical Education
    • Counseling & Human Relations
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Healthcare Leadership (term or flex option)
    • Leadership
    • Training & Organization Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Sport Administration
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Kentucky University

    Cost of Degree: $11,112
    Expenses: $14,336
    Starting Salary: $38,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Western Kentucky University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Workforce Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Family And Consumer Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Family Studies
    • Child Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Community
    • Environment And Development
    • Family-Gender And Sexuality
    • Inequality And Social Change
    • Research Methods
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Dental Hygiene
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Information Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #4

    Northern Kentucky University

    Highland Heights , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Northern Kentucky University

    Cost of Degree: $10,592
    Expenses: $14,548
    Starting Salary: $41,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Northern Kentucky University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Northern Kentucky University’s Online Degrees

    BA/BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services and Addictions
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Psychological Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Integrative Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Global Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. 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

    University of the Cumberlands’s Online Degrees

    BS/BA in Applied Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Allied Health
    • Business Administration
    • Coaching
    • Criminal Justice
    • General Studies
    • Human Services
    • Information Technology
    • Missions and Ministries
    • Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science in Coaching
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Elementary Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • English/Communications
    • Interdisciplinary
    • Social and Behavioral Studies
    • Special Education*
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Administration
    • Finance
    • Strategic Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 27
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Missions and Ministry
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BAS in Information Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cybersecurity
    • Infrastructure
    • Management
    • Software Engineering
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BAS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cybersecurity
    • Infrastructure
    • Management
    • Software Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #7

    Spalding University

    Louisville , KY

    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
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Find the Best Research Universities in Kentucky for Your Area of Interest

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. Northern Kentucky University
  4. Bellarmine University
  5. Western Kentucky University
  6. Spalding University
  7. University of the Cumberlands

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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