2023 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
College degrees at every level are widely available online in Kentucky. What's more, online degrees are generally respected by hiring managers who understand that online programs are just as rigorous as traditional degrees.
As you look through the offerings at the schools below, you'll see that you can earn a degree in almost any popular subject. These programs are designed to prepare graduates for the workplace, especially for high-growth occupations in Kentucky. Options include computer scientist, dietitian, industrial engineer, healthcare social worker, and financial manager. Whatever your professional interests and strengths, earning a degree may qualify you to work for one of the state's top employers, such as Humana, UK Chandler Hospital, Toyota, GE Consumer and Industrial, and Lexmark International.
View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU.
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Online Programs You May Be Interested In
University of Kentucky
List Of Accredited Online Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky University | ||
| Eastern Kentucky University | 2,187 | $19,948 |
| University of the Cumberlands | 1,640 | $9,875 |
| Northern Kentucky University | 1,634 | $20,256 |
| Sullivan University | 1,073 | $19,740 |
| Campbellsville University | 913 | $25,400 |
| Morehead State University | 724 | $13,876 |
| Murray State University | 705 | $24,792 |
| Asbury University | 473 | $30,952 |
| University of Louisville | 460 | $27,954 |
Western Kentucky University
- Annual Tuition: $26,496
- Locations: Bowling Green
- Accreditation: SACS COC
At Western Kentucky University (WKU), students can select from more than 80 online programs at all levels of higher education. Some of these include an associate degree in nursing; bachelor's degrees in healthcare administration, social work, organizational leadership, and criminology; and master's degrees in mathematics, history, biology, and speech-language pathology. This public university has a 98% acceptance rate and a 47% graduation rate.
At WKU, students access their online courses through the Blackboard learning platform. Distance education students may also take advantage of a number of online services, such as a writing lab, tutoring, career services, and student success coaching.
Eastern Kentucky University
- Annual Tuition: $19,948
- Locations: Richmond
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), a public institution, offers many online programs, including four associate degrees, 28 bachelor's degrees, and 15 master's degrees. Associate degrees in general studies, paramedicine, police studies, and paralegal studies require the completion of 60-64 credit hours. Bachelor's degrees, which typically require 120 credit hours, are available in nursing, emergency medical care, business, homeland security, psychology, and many more subjects. Master's degree requirements vary depending on the subject of study, which may be nursing, education, social work, or business, among others. While many programs are available entirely online, a few have residency requirements.
Online students may be eligible for financial aid, including college-funded scholarships. Enrollees have access to online tech support, tutoring, library services, and career services.
University of the Cumberlands
- Annual Tuition: $9,875
- Locations: Williamsburg
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of the Cumberlands (UC), which is a private, nonprofit institution, is a faith-based university affiliated with the Baptist church. The school has a 73% acceptance rate and a 60% graduation rate. UC offers a total of 50 online associate and bachelor's degrees in the following areas of study: business, communications, education, general studies, health and wellness, humanities, information technology, missions and ministry, nursing, and social and behavioral sciences. Most associate degrees require the completion of 61 credit hours, and bachelor's degrees typically require 120 credit hours.
At UC, online students are not eligible for scholarships from the school but may be qualified for other types of financial aid.
Northern Kentucky University
- Annual Tuition: $20,256
- Locations: Highland Heights
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Through Northern Kentucky University (NKU), which is a public institution, students can choose to earn a bachelor's or master's degree online. Online bachelor's degree offerings include nursing, general business, health science, psychology, communications studies, and criminal justice. Undergraduate degrees typically require the completion of 120 credit hours, and most full-time students earn their degrees in four to five years. Master's degree offerings include business administration, health administration, and five nursing specializations. Graduation requirements for master's degrees vary.
NKU delivers its online courses through the Canvas learning system. Online students are eligible for several types of federally funded financial aid. They also have access to online tech support and library services.
Sullivan University
- Annual Tuition: $19,740
- Locations: Louisville
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Sullivan University is a private, for-profit institution offering 21 online degrees at all levels of higher education. For example, students interested in earning an associate degree online can choose to study accounting, health information management, or computer information technology. Associate degrees typically require 92 quarter hours, and programs are designed to be completed in 18-24 months. Students who want to pursue a bachelor's degree can opt for programs in business administration, hospitality management, or human resource leadership. Bachelor's degrees require 180 quarter hours and typically take four to five years to complete.
Sullivan students use the Blackboard learning platform to access online courses. Online students are eligible for financial aid, including scholarships provided by the university.
Higher Education in Kentucky
Kentucky has a rich history when it comes to higher education. Of the state's eight public four-year universities, the University of Louisville is the oldest, dating back to 1798. Today, it's an important research institution with an extensive medical complex. The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, was founded in 1865, and Frankfort's Kentucky State University, which is the oldest HBCU in the state, was founded in 1886.
In addition to these universities, the state operates the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. With 16 colleges and 70 additional locations, it is the largest provider of associate degrees, online courses, and workforce training in the state. Students often attend one of the community colleges in preparation for transferring to a four-year school, while others pursue vocational training at one of the many technical schools.
Altogether, there are nearly 90 public and private schools in Kentucky. There were approximately 203,000 undergraduates and 60,000 graduate students enrolled in these schools during the 2021-22 academic year.
Online Colleges in Kentucky
Over the past two decades, distance education has become more and more popular. Many colleges in Kentucky now offer online courses and online degree programs. Our list of the best online colleges in Kentucky is ranked by bachelor's degrees. However, you can also earn master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and a wide range of additional options without stepping foot on a college campus.
Although many degree programs can be completed entirely online, others are hybrid programs. In these cases, most coursework is conducted online, but distance learners must come to campus for some learning activities. Online courses may be asynchronous, which means that you can log in at any time. However, some courses are synchronous and require you to stream live lectures and participate in online class discussions at specified times.
Most full-time undergraduates need four to five years to complete an online bachelor's degree. Part-time students may need five to six years. Meanwhile, an online master's program typically takes two to three years of full-time study or three to four years for part-time attendance. If you want to finish your degree more quickly, you might consider attending an accelerated online Kentucky school that is structured around shorter terms of seven or eight weeks.
Admissions requirements are generally the same for Kentucky universities, whether they offer on-campus or online programs. To be accepted at one of the more competitive schools, you must first earn a 2.8 or higher GPA in high school and participate in a number of extracurricular activities. Applicants are typically asked to provide high school and college transcripts, college entrance exam scores, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and resumes when they submit their applications.
To ensure you're enrolling in one of the best online degree programs in Kentucky, you may want to check a school's accreditation status before applying. Enrollment in an accredited college may be required for you to receive financial aid, transfer credits among schools, enroll in graduate school, or obtain a credential or license to practice a specific profession. All of the online Kentucky colleges featured on our rankings list are accredited, most likely by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) — the primary accrediting body for colleges in Kentucky — or the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC).
Explore other online degrees in Kentucky on our Best Nursing Programs in Kentucky and Best MSW Programs in Kentucky rankings.
Popular Online Degree Programs in Kentucky
For a variety of reasons, many students are drawn to the convenience and flexibility of online degree programs. Graduate students often opt for online master's and doctoral programs so they can pursue a graduate degree without quitting their jobs, relocating, or disrupting their families' lives. Some of the more popular online master's programs include business administration, elementary education, counseling, social work, and accounting.
At the bachelor's level, Kentucky online colleges offer the full range of majors, such as criminal justice, psychology, and information technology. However, they confer more bachelor's degrees in business than in any other subject. Most of the other popular bachelor's degrees in this state involve liberal arts subjects. Many of these undergraduate degrees can be earned through online universities in Kentucky:
Business programs help students develop the knowledge and skills they need to be managers in all types of business organizations and industries. Management programs offer a broad overview of business operations, while programs like finance, accounting, and human resources focus on particular aspects of business.
Healthcare programs prepare students to work with people in medical settings, while others teach students how to work behind the scenes in medical facilities. Degree options include nursing, health sciences, and healthcare administration.
Humanities programs allow students to explore the historical and current factors that have shaped our culture. Some of the specific bachelor's degrees available in the humanities include English, Spanish, and philosophy.
To meet your graduation requirements for a Kentucky online degree, you may need to participate in internships, externships, labs, and various kinds of fieldwork. In the distance learning environment, you will need to complete these learning activities at professional facilities near your home. For example, if you're pursuing an online social work degree, you can accrue your practicum hours at a nearby social services agency. Many schools have advisors who can help you make the appropriate arrangements.
Cost of Online Colleges in Kentucky
College tuition fees and other expenses vary widely in Kentucky. Before you apply, you may want to research individual programs because costs can differ by school, field of degree, delivery mode, and residency status. However, the NCES data in the table below provides some average costs for attending Kentucky's colleges:
Aside from choosing to attend one of the more affordable public schools, future Kentucky college students can save money in other ways. For example, many colleges' online tuition fees are lower than their on-campus, in-state tuition fees. Online learners also save money by avoiding the cost of college room and board and reducing transportation costs.
Another way to make your college education more affordable is to enroll in one of the state's many online community colleges. Depending on your goals, an associate degree or vocational certificate from a community college or technical school may be all you need for a successful career. Alternatively, you could complete your general education courses at a community college and then transfer to a bachelor's degree program at a four-year university.
If you're looking for the most affordable bachelor's degree and master's degree options, you might consider attending an online school in another state.
Financial Aid for Students in Kentucky
One of the most significant ways to reduce how much you spend on your college degree is to obtain grants and scholarships. These types of financial aid are better because they generally don't have to be repaid, unlike student loans that have to be repaid with interest. However, you should still consider taking out student loans if they're going to help you complete your education. To determine your eligibility for federal, state, and school-sponsored financial assistance, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Kentucky's state government provides both grants and scholarships for in-state college students. For instance, the Kentucky Tuition Grant provides awards of $3,200 per academic year to Kentucky residents with financial needs who are enrolled in one of the eligible two-year or four-year schools. Similarly, the College Access Program Grant offers up to $5,300 per academic year for residents attending one of the qualifying schools.
Among the state-sponsored scholarship programs are:
- The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based program awards funding to graduates of Kentucky high schools who've earned a GPA higher than 2.5 and scored well on ACT, SAT, or AP exams.
- The Early Childhood Development Scholarship: Students who are majoring in early childhood education can receive up to $6,430 per academic year, provided they agree to a service commitment.
- The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship: This program supports Kentucky residents who are enrolled in their first associate degree program. To qualify, applicants for the 2022-23 academic year must be pursuing a degree in one of the following high-demand fields: healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, business services, information technology, or construction.
Active-duty military members, veterans, and their family members may be entitled to education-related financial benefits through the GI Bill®. Service members may also qualify for a tuition discount at military-friendly Yellow Ribbon schools in Kentucky, such as Eastern Kentucky University and Morehead State University.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Job Outlook for Kentucky College Graduates
In general, salaries in Kentucky tend to be slightly lower than the national mean of $61,900. For example, the annual mean salary in Louisville is $55,970, in the Lexington-Fayette area $53,160, and in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati, Ohio, $58,720. However, Kentucky's cost of living index is 82.3 — as compared to the national index of 100 — which may help paychecks stretch a bit further.
From an economic standpoint, Kentucky has seen exciting growth in new businesses and expansion projects recently. Just in the last year, these developments brought in investments of nearly $10.5 billion and created 16,000 new full-time jobs. Employment opportunities for Kentucky graduates appear in all industries, including electric vehicle production, healthcare, logistics and distribution, and many types of manufacturing operations.
With this in mind, we've identified several occupations in Kentucky that feature lots of job openings and are projected to grow. These jobs — with salary data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — require only a bachelor's degree:
Elementary School Teachers
Elementary school teachers are an integral part of the education system. They work with children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Teachers develop lesson plans, communicate information, and assess each child's progress. In addition to a bachelor's degree, teachers need a state-issued teaching credential to work.
General and Operations Managers
General and operations managers typically oversee the day-to-day operations of large departments or perhaps an entire organization. They perform many of the more common managerial tasks, such as monitoring budgets, planning how to use resources, and creating schedules.
Project Management Specialists
Big projects often require the work of project management specialists. After meeting with other stakeholders, these professionals develop the overall plans for a project, including objectives, costs, schedules and milestones, and staffing needs. They also monitor the project as it unfolds to ensure everything stays on track.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses can find jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. Among their many responsibilities, they work directly with patients to determine their needs, record relevant information, and communicate with doctors to develop and implement a plan of care.
FAQs About Online Colleges in Kentucky
How Many Colleges Are in Kentucky?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are 87 postsecondary colleges in Kentucky. Among the 24 public schools, there are Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, and Murray State University. Private colleges include Midway University, Asbury University, and the University of the Cumberlands.
How Do I Get a Nursing Degree in Kentucky?
There are many ways you can get a nursing degree in Kentucky. Many schools in the state offer on-campus and online nursing programs, giving you several options for earning an associate degree in nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a related degree. Just make sure you select a program that prepares you to pass the nursing exam and meet other licensing requirements in Kentucky or whichever state you plan to work in.
How Many People in Kentucky Hold a Bachelor's Degree?
According to the most recent U.S. census, 25.7% of Kentuckians hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Are Online Colleges Worth It in Kentucky?
Yes, many Kentucky residents find earning an online degree to be worth the investment of money, time, and energy. Data from the BLS confirms that getting a college education typically leads to higher lifetime earnings and less unemployment for most people. Pursuing a degree through distance education may make it easier to accomplish this goal, and it may cost less, which increases your return on your investment.