Best Value Kentucky Colleges

Kentucky has 17 colleges ranked by value, part of our national best value ranking. We weigh academic quality against average net price so you find schools that deliver strong results without overpaying.

Centre College offers the best value in Kentucky for 2027 with a 9 out of 10 academic rating and an average net price of $23,860. The top value public university is University of Louisville. Also high value: Bellarmine University, University of Louisville and Transylvania University.

Compare net price, aid, and academic ratings across the colleges below. See how value scores are calculated on our methodology page. Sort by net price, acceptance rate, or academic rating to find the best deal for your budget.

17 Results
Sort:
Kentucky Public Private 4 Year

  • Private 4 Year
  • Danville, KY
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Centre is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate economics, politics, and the natural sciences. Most students live on the residential campus in the small college town of Danville.

#1 Best Value in Kentucky 8/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1160-1450
  • Avg GPA 3.62
  • Acceptance Rate 54%
  • Net Price $23,860
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Louisville, KY
  • 4.0 | 1 reviews
  • Feb 1 application deadline

Bellarmine is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate nursing and the health sciences. The campus occupies a residential setting in Louisville.

#2 Best Value in Kentucky 7/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1030-1250
  • Avg GPA 3.42
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $23,165
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Louisville, KY
  • 5.0 | 2 reviews
  • Feb 15 application deadline

UofL is a large public university known for undergraduate engineering and business. Most undergraduates study on the urban Belknap Campus in Louisville.

#3 Best Value in Kentucky 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1040-1270
  • Avg GPA 3.64
  • Acceptance Rate 79%
  • Net Price $19,785
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Lexington, KY
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

Transylvania is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate pre-medicine and the sciences. The historic campus occupies several blocks in downtown Lexington.

#4 Best Value in Kentucky 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1120-1380
  • Avg GPA 3.77
  • Acceptance Rate 87%
  • Net Price $25,442
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Wilmore, KY
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews

Asbury is a private Christian university known for undergraduate media communications and equestrian studies. Most students live on the residential campus in the small town of Wilmore.

#5 Best Value in Kentucky 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1080-1320
  • Avg GPA 3.65
  • Acceptance Rate 63%
  • Net Price $23,033
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Lexington, KY
  • 4.5 | 2 reviews
  • Feb 15 application deadline

Kentucky is a large public university known for undergraduate agriculture, engineering, and business. Lexington is a midsize city in the state's Bluegrass horse country.

#6 Best Value in Kentucky 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1070-1290
  • Avg GPA 3.59
  • Acceptance Rate 93%
  • Net Price $21,958
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Williamsburg, KY
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 31 application deadline

University of the Cumberlands is a private Christian university known for undergraduate teacher education and business. Students live on a residential campus in the small Appalachian town of Williamsburg.

#7 Best Value in Kentucky 3/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 960-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.47
  • Acceptance Rate 99%
  • Net Price $14,743
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Richmond, KY
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

EKU is a public university known for undergraduate criminal justice, fire protection, and safety programs. The campus sits in the college town of Richmond in central Kentucky.

#8 Best Value in Kentucky 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 880-1080
  • Avg GPA 3.39
  • Acceptance Rate 78%
  • Net Price $12,279
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Georgetown, KY
  • 4.0 | 1 reviews

Georgetown College is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate education and business. Most undergrads live on its residential campus in a small Kentucky college town.

#9 Best Value in Kentucky 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 960-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.54
  • Acceptance Rate 91%
  • Net Price $15,160
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Frankfort, KY
  • | 0 reviews

Kentucky State is a public historically Black university known for undergraduate aquaculture and agriculture. Students attend a small campus in Kentucky's capital city.

#10 Best Value in Kentucky 2/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 820-1010
  • Avg GPA 2.72
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $9,397
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Midway, KY
  • | 0 reviews

Midway is a private university known for undergraduate equestrian studies, nursing, and teacher education. The residential campus is in the small town of Midway in central Kentucky.

#11 Best Value in Kentucky 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1100-1170
  • Avg GPA 3.39
  • Acceptance Rate 95%
  • Net Price $30,679
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Murray, KY
  • | 0 reviews

Murray State is a public university known for undergraduate education, agriculture, and nursing. Murray is a small college town in western Kentucky built around the campus.

#12 Best Value in Kentucky 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 940-1170
  • Avg GPA 3.57
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $10,182
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Highland Heights, KY
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 15 application deadline

NKU is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, business, and education. The suburban campus in Highland Heights sits just south of Cincinnati.

#13 Best Value in Kentucky 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 953-1150
  • Avg GPA 3.42
  • Acceptance Rate 68%
  • Net Price $9,211
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Louisville, KY
  • | 0 reviews

Spalding is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate nursing, health sciences, and education. The urban campus sits in downtown Louisville.

#14 Best Value in Kentucky 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 875-1038
  • Avg GPA 3.87
  • Acceptance Rate 99%
  • Net Price $25,999
Details
Thomas More University Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Crestview Hills, KY
  • | 0 reviews

Thomas More is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate nursing and business. The suburban campus in Crestview Hills sits just south of Cincinnati.

#15 Best Value in Kentucky 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1030-1230
  • Avg GPA 3.35
  • Acceptance Rate 90%
  • Net Price $22,297
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Barbourville, KY
  • 4.5 | 2 reviews

Union Commonwealth is a small private university with undergraduate programs in education, business, and nursing. The residential campus sits in the Appalachian college town of Barbourville.

#16 Best Value in Kentucky 3/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 920-1105
  • Avg GPA 3.15
  • Acceptance Rate 63%
  • Net Price $17,124
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

WKU is a public university known for undergraduate journalism, photojournalism, and broadcasting. The hilltop campus overlooks Bowling Green in south-central Kentucky.

#17 Best Value in Kentucky 3/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 840-1050
  • Avg GPA 3.42
  • Acceptance Rate 94%
  • Net Price $12,548
Details