While the horses in Kentucky may run fast, the Bluegrass State's college enrollment rates have remained relatively flat over the last decade. In 2022, Kentucky launched the Higher Education Matters campaign to meet the goal of getting 60% of working-age adults to obtain a college credential by 2030.
Kentucky offers a lower-than-average cost of living — World Population Review scores the state 93.8 on a scale where 100 represents the national average. Because Kentucky's cost of living is lower-than-average, earning a degree in Kentucky can be more affordable than doing so in other states. Online colleges in Kentucky may offer further savings since you never have to go to campus.
Use our guide to discover what Kentucky online colleges cost and learn about scholarships available to Kentuckians.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
#1 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Campbellsville University
- Campbellsville, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Located in central Kentucky, Campbellsville University offers 88 affordable online programs in academic and technical areas. Options include certificates and endorsements, as well as associate, bachelor's, master's, and specialist degrees in communication, education, nursing, business, and public health.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $319-$603
Out of State | $319-$603
Why Students Choose Campbellsville:
- Accessible Services: Campbellsville offers online students access to a counseling clinic, anxiety management services, and 24-7 live chat resources.
- Military Friendly: The school is a designated Military Friendly school and a member of the Yellow Ribbon program, with low tuition for qualified military members.
- Financial Transparency: Campbellsville requires no additional fees except a $75-per-term fee for graduate students.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Christ-Centered Culture: As a Christian university, Campbellsville aims to educate servant leaders for a diverse society.
- Caps Transferrable Credits: The school transfers up to 72 credits earned in a bachelor's program, which means you must earn nearly 50 credits through Campbellsville.
- Find Your Placement: Students must secure their field placements in some programs.
Percent Online Enrollment
56%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Spalding University
- Louisville, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Occupying a small campus in the heart of Louisville, Spalding University is the world's first designated "compassionate university." The school emphasizes inclusion, justice, and service. Its online programs include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in health science, nursing, business, social work, education, and more.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $490
Out of State | $490
Why Students Choose Spalding:
- Block Scheduling: Spalding offers courses on a six-week schedule, and you can take two courses per six-week block.
- Fast-Track Programs: Students can combine bachelor's and graduate degree programs to save money and further their education.
- Prior Learning Assessment: Learners can receive credit for CLEP, DSST, and military experience.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Hybrid Options: Some programs require face-to-face learning experiences.
- Fixed Start Dates: New classes begin every seven weeks.
- Catholic Tradition: Spalding offers an education rooted in the Catholic tradition.
Percent Online Enrollment
56%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Brescia University
- Owensboro, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Brescia University, a liberal arts college in Owensboro, launched BUonline to bring around 20 diverse academic programs to nontraditional students. Degrees include a master's in speech-language pathology, a master's in clinical psychology, and a bachelor's in accounting. All online courses offer weekly chat sessions with the professor.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $450
Out of State | $450
Why Students Choose Brescia:
- Accelerated Format: Brescia offers online courses in eight-week terms, letting you work efficiently toward your degree.
- Apply Anytime: You don't have to wait for an admission window to apply.
- Welcoming Enrollment Policy: Brescia will work with applicants who do not meet their minimum admission requirements so that every student can access a college education.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Live Chat Requirements: All online classes offer optional live chats, but in some classes, live chats may be mandatory.
- Internship Placement: If you are pursuing a degree that requires an internship, you may have to find your placement.
- Catholic Tradition: Brescia is rooted in the Catholic and Ursuline traditions.
Percent Online Enrollment
71%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
University of Louisville
- Louisville, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
One of the country's first city-owned universities, the University of Louisville was founded in 1798 and now provides more than 70 online programs, including bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and certificates. UofL offers five- or- eight-week course formats for most degrees and requires no synchronous class meetups, so you can study whenever is convenient.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $540
Out of State | $540
Why Students Choose UofL:
- Federal Academic Alliance: UofL participates in the Federal Academic Alliance by offering qualifying federal employees a 10% tuition scholarship.
- Military Friendly: Veterans and members of the U.S. military receive priority registration and lower tuition rates.
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Online students can access both external and university-specific scholarships.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Variable Tuition Rates: The tuition rates for graduate degrees, most certificates, and the RN-to-BSN program differ from those for standard online degree programs.
- Online Course Fees: UofL charges a $10-per-credit fee for online learners.
- Scholarship Deadlines: Scholarships have varying application deadlines.
Percent Online Enrollment
55%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Bellarmine University
- Louisville, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
A liberal arts college in Louisville, Bellarmine University offers 12 online graduate and undergraduate academic programs, including nursing, education, business, and software and data engineering. The university reports that 99% of Bellarmine graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $1,573
Out of State | $1,573
Why Students Choose Bellarmine:
- Military Discount: Active duty, reserve, and guard servicemembers pay a discounted rate of $250 per credit.
- Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Bellarmine features a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- Public Price Promise: The university will match the tuition rate of your state's flagship university.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Catholic Tradition: Bellarmine is rooted in the Catholic educational tradition.
- In-Person Requirements: Some programs require you to come to campus for part of your coursework.
- Some Synchronous Courses: You may need to participate in real-time online sessions for select programs.
Percent Online Enrollment
19%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
You can transfer up to 90 credits and earn your bachelor's degree online in less than one year at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights. The university offers around 60 online academic programs in career-relevant fields such as nursing, education, technology, and business.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $485
Out-of-State | $485
Why Students Choose NKU:
- Path to Success Scholarship: New online students may qualify for this scholarship, which reduces tuition to $320 per credit.
- Military Discount: Members of the military and veterans can skip the $40 application fee.
- Multiple Start Dates: NKU offers five start dates each year, and you can apply up to 10 days before classes start.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Online Course Fee: Online students pay a $16-per-credit university fee.
- ACT and SAT Scores: Respiratory care and nursing programs require standardized test scores for admission.
- High Student-to-Faculty Ratio: NKU's 19-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio is on the higher end.
Percent Online Enrollment
74%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Union Commonwealth University
- Barbourville, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Formerly Union College in Barbourville, Union Commonwealth University offers six undergraduate and eight graduate degrees online. Majors include business, nursing, and law enforcement. As a student in one of these degree programs, you'll take eight-week courses that offer six potential start dates throughout the year.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $225
Out of State | $225
Why Students Choose Union:
- Lower Costs: Union's online programs offer lower tuition rates than traditional degree programs.
- Reduced Tuition for Healthcare Workers: If you're employed by Baptist Health or Appalachian Regional Healthcare and enrolled in the RN-to-BSN program, you pay $203 per credit.
- Multiple Start Dates: You can start your degree at many points throughout the year.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Limited Scholarship Options: Students accepted into an online degree program cannot access Union's merit or athletic scholarships.
- Limited Programs: Union has fewer academic programs available online than many other colleges on our list.
- Historic Affiliation: Union is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Percent Online Enrollment
69%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Kentucky State University
- Frankfort, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Kentucky State University in Frankfort is the oldest historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the commonwealth. Kentucky State offers a diverse campus environment and 12 online academic programs, including bachelor's degrees in psychology and criminal justice and a certificate in cybersecurity.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $350
Out of State | $350
Why Students Choose Kentucky State:
- Military-Friendly Pricing: Members of the military pay $250 per credit for undergraduate courses and $275 per credit for graduate courses.
- Career Assistance: Kentucky State assists online students in identifying career paths, writing resumes, and conducting interviews.
- Tutoring for Online Learners: Online students can access live online tutoring sessions, assistance with citing sources, and help reviewing assignments.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Additional Costs: KSU charges a flat fee of $50 per semester semester for books and other learning resources.
- Requires Regular Engagement: You can be administratively withdrawn if you do not engage with your course within the first week and at least once every 21 days after that.
- Minimum GPA: Both first-time students and transfer students must hold a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
University of Kentucky
- Lexington, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The University of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State's flagship university, offers more than 80 degrees and certificates online. You can earn degrees in social work, nursing, business, or another career-focused area. The university's online programs are asynchronous, so you can study whenever it is convenient for you.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $624
Out of State | $624
Why Students Choose UK:
- Academic Support: You can take advantage of a distance learning library, GRE preparatory courses, and e-tutoring.
- Mental Health Assistance: The counseling center offers online learners free and confidential mental health services.
- Career Counseling: UK offers help writing your resume, exploring career options, and preparing for interviews.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Higher Tuition for In-State Students: Kentucky students studying on campus pay $553 per credit — less than online learners.
- Three Admission Dates: Most online programs admit new students in the spring, fall, or summer semesters.
- Application Fee: Online applicants must pay a nonrefundable $50 application fee.
Percent Online Enrollment
43%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2025
Western Kentucky University
- Bowling Green, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Located in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University offers more than 80 online academic programs and 1,700 online courses each year. You can earn a degree in science, engineering, business, healthcare, or liberal arts entirely online. WKU also provides on-demand courses you can complete in as little as seven days.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $551
Out of State | $551
Why Students Choose WKU:
- Military Friendly: WKU offers veterans and military service members a discounted tuition rate.
- Local Government Rate: Local government employees receive a discounted tuition rate of $500 per credit.
- Online Student Services: You can take advantage of an online writing lab, tutoring, career services, and a student support specialist.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Semester-Based vs. On-Demand: Be sure to verify whether you are enrolling in a semester-based or on-demand course.
- No Online Doctorates: WKU offers many on-campus doctoral programs but none online.
- Application Fee: WKU charges a $45 application fee for new undergraduate students.
Percent Online Enrollment
58%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This list is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
A 2020 survey found that the median lifetime earnings for workers with bachelor's degrees in Kentucky is almost $1 million higher than for professionals with only a high school diploma.
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Kentucky
Multiple jobs in the Kentucky job market are projected to see positive growth from 2022 to 2032. Earning a college degree can help you become eligible for these in-demand positions.
The Kentucky Center for Statistics estimates a 45% growth in nurse practitioners from 2022 to 2032. Other fast-growing occupations include logisticians and physician assistants. Positions in tech also offer considerable stability: For example, information security analysts are projected to grow 30%.
The table below covers some of the fastest-growing occupations in Kentucky that require at least a bachelor's degree.
Fast-Growing Careers in Kentucky 2020-2030
| Job |
Projected Growth |
Annual Median Wage in Kentucky (2023) |
| Nurse Practitioners |
45.3% |
$109,530 |
| Information Security Analysts |
30% |
$92,580 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers |
28.8% |
$97,550 |
| Physician Assistants |
26.5% |
$103,490 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants |
24.6% |
$61,080 |
| Software Developers |
24.1% |
$103,030 |
| Logisticians |
22.5% |
$65,820 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
21.4% |
$47,060 |
| Operations Research Analysts |
20.8% |
$78,000 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists |
20.4% |
$78,780 |
Source: BLS Kentucky, Kentucky Division of Workforce Services
Majors to Consider To Prepare for Kentucky's Job Market
Many of the fast-growing careers in Kentucky require a degree in subjects like health sciences, computer science, or nursing. Earning a degree with one of these majors can help you launch a career in a high-demand field.
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Health Sciences
Health sciences degrees include majors like public health, healthcare administration, nutrition, and medical billing. A bachelor's degree in healthcare management or healthcare administration is a common requirement for jobs like medical and health services manager. A health science degree can also prepare you to pursue graduate degrees in medicine or physical therapy as well as physician assistant programs. If you're interested in helping people improve their mental well-being, consider earning a master's degree or doctorate in fields like psychology or counseling.
-
-
Computer Science
An online computer science degree can train you for careers like software developer, information security analyst, or operations research analyst. In addition to generalized programs, you can pursue specialized bachelor's degrees in fields like information technology, software development, computer engineering, or cybersecurity.
What is the Cost of College in Kentucky?
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that in the 2022-23 school year, four-year public institutions in Kentucky charged in-state undergraduates an average of $11,299 for tuition and fees — higher than the national average of $9,750. Out-of-state students at public schools paid $26,640.
Depending on the school, online learning can be more affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students. Many online programs have a fixed tuition rate for distance education enrollees, and these degrees eliminate on-campus room and board costs as well as transportation fees. Some colleges also charge the same tuition for online and on-campus students, regardless of where you reside.
Average Cost of College in Kentucky
| Institution Type |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in Kentucky |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in the U.S. |
| Public 4-Year (In-State) |
$11,299 |
$9,750 |
| Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) |
$26,640 |
$28,297 |
| Private 4-Year |
$28,001 |
$35,248 |
Source: NCES
Scholarships and Cost Savings for Online Colleges in Kentucky
Kentucky businesses, nonprofits, and universities offer scholarships exclusively for Kentuckians enrolled in local colleges. To qualify for some funding opportunities, you may need to live in a specific part of the state or major in a particular subject.
Scholarship awards provide funds based on need, merit, and demographics for students attending two- and four-year accredited schools in Kentucky. State-specific funding opportunities include:
- Community Foundation of Louisville: Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Louisville has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships. The foundation allows you to complete one application to apply for more than 90 opportunities. Applications open on December 1, 2024, and close on February 28, 2025.
- Edith Schwab Memorial Scholarship: Graduate students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need can apply for this scholarship. Recipients should intend to work in Kentucky after graduation. Award amounts vary. You must apply by March 4, 2025.
- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: This organization offers scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and technical college students. Applicants must demonstrate critical financial need, integrity, and perseverance. Applications are due March 15, 2025.
- Stephen L. Keller Scholarship: To qualify for this $2,000 renewable scholarship, you must be a high school senior or an undergraduate from Eastern Kentucky majoring in business at an accredited school in Kentucky. You need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications are due March 4, 2025.
- Emma E. Buckley Scholarship: This $2,500 renewable scholarship is available to high school seniors — preferably first-generation college attendees — who demonstrate financial need and attend Fayette County Public Schools or Woodford County High School. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications are due March 4, 2025.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Kentucky
How many colleges are in Kentucky?
Kentucky has 34 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges and universities. Kentucky is also home to 16 two-year public and private nonprofit schools.
What is the cheapest online college in Kentucky?
For four-year schools, Kentucky State University has some of the lowest tuition in the state, charging an average of $9,214 for full-time students in the 2023-2024 academic year. The institution is also one of the largest universities in Kentucky. Other schools in the state with lower-than-average tuition include Morehead State University, Murray State University, and the University of the Cumberlands.
What colleges are in Bowling Green, Kentucky?
Bowling Green is home to two degree-granting institutions: Western Kentucky University and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. Western Kentucky University is a four-year public university with more than 80 online programs to choose from. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is a public two-year college that offers certificate and associate degrees.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Kentucky?
Western Kentucky University, which enrolls 16,493 students, had a 97% acceptance rate in 2023, making it one of the easiest online colleges to get into in Kentucky. According to NCES data, Midway University admitted 95% of applicants, though the school only enrolls 1,441 students. The University of Kentucky had a 92% acceptance rate and enrolls 31,547 learners.
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