Best Small Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Small colleges in Kentucky are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- Many small colleges in Kentucky offer specialized programs focused on Appalachian history, culture, and socioeconomic issues, providing students with unique opportunities to engage with local communities through service-learning and research.
- Some of Kentucky’s best small colleges, such as Alice Lloyd College and Berea College, are known for offering tuition-free education or mandatory work-study programs, allowing students to earn their degrees while gaining valuable work experience and minimizing student debt.
- Small colleges in Kentucky often incorporate sustainability and local agriculture into the curriculum, offering hands-on programs in sustainable farming, environmental science, and eco-friendly initiatives, with access to local farms and rural landscapes for fieldwork and research.
Best Small Colleges in Kentucky in 2026
The following list highlights the best small colleges and universities in Kentucky, drawn from our searchable database of accredited institutions with undergraduate populations under 5,000. Most entries are four‑year colleges (a few offer graduate programs); to appear here a school must be fully accredited and intentionally small to preserve close faculty-student engagement. You can view our filtered results for small Kentucky colleges here: 18 small colleges.
Below you’ll find concise profiles focused on what distinguishes each campus—academic strengths, learning environment, and factors that matter to prospective students choosing a small college in Kentucky—so you can quickly compare options and follow links to detailed pages for programs and admissions information.
Best Small Colleges in Kentucky
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #1 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
65%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
Career Outlook for degree at Transylvania University
Cost of Degree: $44,980Expenses: $17,735Starting Salary: $57,381Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Transylvania University known for?
Transylvania University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- History
- Economics
- Biology
- Political Science
- Chemistry
- Literature
- Communications
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #2 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #4 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
66%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1245/25
Career Outlook for degree at Berea College
Cost of Degree: $49,326Expenses: $11,392Starting Salary: $48,071Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Berea College known for?
Berea College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Religious Studies
- Education
- History
- Physics
- Communications
- Political Science
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #3 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #7 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
79%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1305/28
Career Outlook for degree at Centre College
Cost of Degree: $50,550Expenses: $17,485Starting Salary: $66,582Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Centre College known for?
Centre College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- History
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Biology
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Economics
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2026 #15 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #7 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
30%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Kentucky State University
Cost of Degree: $9,214Expenses: $12,513Starting Salary: $42,650Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Kentucky State University known for?
Kentucky State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Education
- Biology
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Literature
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Kentucky State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #3 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #4 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$26K
Graduation
41%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Pikeville
Cost of Degree: $24,150Expenses: $11,830Starting Salary: $47,890Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Pikeville known for?
University of Pikeville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- History
- Political Science
- Business
- Biology
- Communications
- Literature
- Nursing
- Computer Science
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
University of Pikeville’s Online Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #24 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #4 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
49%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1060/22
Career Outlook for degree at Georgetown College
Cost of Degree: $42,010Expenses: $15,091Starting Salary: $55,880Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Georgetown College known for?
Georgetown College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- History
- Physics
- Biology
- Literature
- Political Science
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2026 #5 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2026 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
71%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/25
Career Outlook for degree at Bellarmine University
Cost of Degree: $46,780Starting Salary: $64,121What is Bellarmine University known for?
Bellarmine University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Economics
- History
- Political Science
- Medical
- Nursing
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky #16 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2026
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
65%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Asbury University
Cost of Degree: $33,640Expenses: $14,350Starting Salary: $49,862Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Asbury University known for?
Asbury University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Communications
- History
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Business
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2026 #6 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2026 #6 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #8 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
956/18
Career Outlook for degree at Spalding University
Cost of Degree: $27,672Expenses: $17,494Starting Salary: $55,738Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Spalding University known for?
Spalding University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #10 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2026 #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2026
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
46%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1010/19
Career Outlook for degree at Kentucky Wesleyan College
Cost of Degree: $33,393Expenses: $15,949Starting Salary: $52,218Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Kentucky Wesleyan College known for?
Kentucky Wesleyan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- History
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Physics
- Business
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Kentucky Wesleyan College’s Online Degrees
BA in Graphic Design
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice And Criminology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Religion
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #8 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2026 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #9 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs 2026 #13 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky
Tuition + fees
$17K
Graduation
24%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Sullivan University
Cost of Degree: $14,220Expenses: $18,456Starting Salary: $42,383Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Sullivan University known for?
Sullivan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Sullivan University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 180
- Format: Fully online
BS in Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 180
- Completion Time: 36 or 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Human Resource Leadership
- Required Credits: 180
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Finance
- Healthcare Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Required Credits: 180
- Format: Fully online
BS in Justice and Public Safety Administration
- Required Credits: 180
- Completion Time: 18 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 180
- Format: Fully online
BS in Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cyber Security Professional
- Network Support Administration and Security
- Web Design and Application Development
- System Support and Administration
- Required Credits: 180
- Completion Time: 18 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Interdisciplinary Business Studies
- Required Credits: 180
- Format: Fully online
- #10 Best Christian Colleges in Kentucky 2026 #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Kentucky 2026 #15 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky #17 20 Fastest Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2026
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
49%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/24
Career Outlook for degree at Thomas More University
Cost of Degree: $37,650Expenses: $13,986Starting Salary: $63,897Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Thomas More University known for?
Thomas More University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Thomas More University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BES in Ethical Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BES in Individualized Program
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #8 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Psychology Degree Programs 2026 #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Kentucky 2026 #24 Best Online Associate in Human Services #14 Fastest Online Associate's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2026
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
49%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Brescia University
Cost of Degree: $30,450Expenses: $16,035Starting Salary: $49,034Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Brescia University known for?
Brescia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Brescia University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Integrated Studies
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Integrated Studies
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Theology
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BSW in Social Work
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #10 Best Online Associate Degrees in Kentucky 2026 #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2026 #12 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2026 #22 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2026
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/22
Career Outlook for degree at Midway University
Cost of Degree: $26,080Expenses: $23,200Starting Salary: $47,169Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Midway University known for?
Midway University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Midway University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Care Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Education Studies
Degree Concentrations
- English
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Human Resource Management
- Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BA in Middle School Education
Degree Concentrations
- English
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 12-24 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Secondary Education
Degree Concentrations
- English
- Math
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Sport Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Marketing Communications
Degree Concentrations
- Writing
- Graphic Design
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
41%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
835/19
Career Outlook for degree at Alice Lloyd College
Cost of Degree: $14,080Expenses: $17,432Starting Salary: $47,366Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Alice Lloyd College known for?
Alice Lloyd College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #12 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2026
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
40%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Union College, Kentucky
Cost of Degree: $31,071Expenses: $13,861Starting Salary: $46,405Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Union College, Kentucky known for?
Union College, Kentucky’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Union College, Kentucky’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in General Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Substance Abuse Counseling
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #16 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students #16 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2026
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
25%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Kentucky Christian University
Cost of Degree: $25,000Expenses: $15,448Starting Salary: $47,183Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Kentucky Christian University known for?
Kentucky Christian University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Kentucky Christian University’s Online Degrees
BS in Counseling Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Biology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS/BA in History
- Required Credits: 121
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Sports Management
- Required Credits: 121
- Format: Fully online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 125
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Teacher Education- Middle School: Grades 5-9
Degree Concentrations
- English
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
- Required Credits: 126
- Format: Fully online
BS in Teacher Education- Primary through grade 5
- Required Credits: 126
- Format: Fully online
BS in Teacher Education- Secondary Social Studies: Grades 8-12
- Required Credits: 122
- Format: Fully online
- #9 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2026 #14 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky #18 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2026 #25 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2026
Tuition + fees
$28K
Graduation
41%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Lindsey Wilson College
Cost of Degree: $27,274Expenses: $16,221Starting Salary: $45,750Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Lindsey Wilson College known for?
Lindsey Wilson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Lindsey Wilson College’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Human Services And Counseling
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 12 months
- Format: Fully online
Kentucky’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.
