Best Colleges in Kentucky (2019-2020)

The schools listed below rank in the best colleges in Kentucky. For this ranking, we consider any type/level of colleges including national universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialized schools. In Kentucky, there are 96 colleges and universities - by school type, 25 public and 71 private schools, and by school level, 42 4 years (or high), 33 2-4 years, and 21 less than 2 years schools.

For academic year 2019-2020, Berea College ranks first in the best Kentucky colleges ranking and University of Kentucky and Centre College followed it. By school type, there are 5 public and 5 schools in the best Kentucky colleges.

The average acceptance rate of the best Kentucky colleges 80.67% where Berea College has the tightest rate with 38.20%. Berea College has the highest tuition & fees with $44,700 where the average amount is $31,957 of the schools. Centre College has the highest submitted SAT scores with 1,305 where the average SAT scores is 1,105 of the schools. The average student population is 9,987 and the average student to faculty ratio is 13.30 to 1 over the best Kentucky colleges.

The ranking is based on CollegeEvaluator's ranking methodology by considering academic, financial, admissions, learning environment, and more perspectives. [read more about the ranking methodology]

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1Berea College 87.40

Berea College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Berea, KY with total 1,673 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,122
Acceptance Rate	38.20%
Tuition & Fees	$44,700
Student Population	1,673 (All Undergraduate)
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21University of Kentucky 85.95

University of Kentucky is a public, 4 or more years school located in Lexington, KY with total 29,182 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,190
Acceptance Rate	94.48%
Tuition & Fees	$12,360 (in-state) / $30,680 (out-of-state)
Student Population	29,182 (22,136 Undergraduate)
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31Centre College 85.94

Centre College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Danville, KY with total 1,434 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,305
Acceptance Rate	73.06%
Tuition & Fees	$43,000
Student Population	1,434 (All Undergraduate)
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4University of Louisville 85.58

University of Louisville is a public, 4 or more years school located in Louisville, KY with total 21,430 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,180
Acceptance Rate	72.43%
Tuition & Fees	$11,928 (in-state) / $27,954 (out-of-state)
Student Population	21,430 (15,641 Undergraduate)
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510Transylvania University 85.21

Transylvania University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Lexington, KY with total 987 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,205
Acceptance Rate	88.81%
Tuition & Fees	$40,210
Student Population	987 (All Undergraduate)
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63Bellarmine University 85.10

Bellarmine University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Louisville, KY with total 3,369 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,165
Acceptance Rate	85.84%
Tuition & Fees	$42,830
Student Population	3,369 (2,552 Undergraduate)
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71Northern Kentucky University 84.95

Northern Kentucky University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Highland Heights, KY with total 14,764 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,110
Acceptance Rate	89.26%
Tuition & Fees	$10,296 (in-state) / $20,256 (out-of-state)
Student Population	14,764 (11,914 Undergraduate)
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81Eastern Kentucky University 84.84

Eastern Kentucky University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Richmond, KY with total 15,815 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,105
Acceptance Rate	87.29%
Tuition & Fees	$9,876 (in-state) / $19,948 (out-of-state)
Student Population	15,815 (13,398 Undergraduate)
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93Spalding University 84.65

Spalding University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Louisville, KY with total 1,758 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	545
Acceptance Rate	95.95%
Tuition & Fees	$25,200
Student Population	1,758 (1,028 Undergraduate)
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10Murray State University 84.62

Murray State University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Murray, KY with total 9,454 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,121
Acceptance Rate	81.42%
Tuition & Fees	$9,168 (in-state) / $24,792 (out-of-state)
Student Population	9,454 (8,056 Undergraduate)
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Best Colleges in Kentucky (2019-2020) Comparison

Rank	Name	Acceptance Rate	Undergraduate Tuition & Fees	Graduate Tuition & Fees	SAT Scores	Population	Student : Faculty
1	Berea College Berea, KY	38.20%	$44,700	-	1,122	1,673	10 to 1
2 1	University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	94.48%	$30,680 ($12,360)	$32,564 ($13,404)	1,190	29,182	16 to 1
3 1	Centre College Danville, KY	73.06%	$43,000	-	1,305	1,434	11 to 1
4	University of Louisville Louisville, KY	72.43%	$27,954 ($11,928)	$27,310 ($13,196)	1,180	21,430	14 to 1
5 10	Transylvania University Lexington, KY	88.81%	$40,210	-	1,205	987	11 to 1
6 3	Bellarmine University Louisville, KY	85.84%	$42,830	$11,734	1,165	3,369	11 to 1
7 1	Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY	89.26%	$20,256 ($10,296)	$17,358 ($11,418)	1,110	14,764	19 to 1
8 1	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY	87.29%	$19,948 ($9,876)	$14,500 ($10,450)	1,105	15,815	15 to 1
9 3	Spalding University Louisville, KY	95.95%	$25,200	$12,825	545	1,758	11 to 1
10	Murray State University Murray, KY	81.42%	$24,792 ($9,168)	$14,400 ($9,114)	1,121	9,454	15 to 1