Best Kentucky Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Kentucky for 2025

There are 65 colleges and universities in Kentucky enrolling 272,784 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Kentucky below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Kentucky offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Kentucky is home to nationally ranked institutions like Centre College, Transylvania University, University of Louisville and University of Kentucky. The highest ranked college in Kentucky is Centre College and the top rated public state college is University of Louisville.

Local college options can be explored in Louisville and Lexington-Fayette urban county or other cities.

Kentucky Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

65 results

List of the Best Kentucky Colleges

Centre College
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C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,356enrollment
  • $23,780net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1423SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Transylvania University
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T
Lexington, KY

Transylvania University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,022enrollment
  • $25,634net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Louisville
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L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 22,139enrollment
  • $18,808net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Kentucky
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K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 32,703enrollment
  • $19,838net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Bellarmine University
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B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 2,993enrollment
  • $24,432net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1243SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Asbury University
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A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,942enrollment
  • $21,375net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Thomas More University
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T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,947enrollment
  • $21,314net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1150SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

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Murray State University
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M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 9,841enrollment
  • $9,738net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,555enrollment
  • $25,539net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 853-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

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Georgetown College
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G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $14,878net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 15,008enrollment
  • $10,852net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 14,961enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 916-1133SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Midway University
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M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,945enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1120SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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University of the Cumberlands
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T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 20,327enrollment
  • $11,555net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Western Kentucky University
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W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 16,759enrollment
  • $12,054net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,129enrollment
  • $19,223net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 920-1105SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,689enrollment
  • $9,672net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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Alice Lloyd College
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A
Pippa Passes, KY

Alice Lloyd College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 553enrollment
  • $18,066net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 760-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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