The Best Kentucky Colleges

The Best Colleges in Kentucky for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Kentucky as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in Kentucky is Centre College. The top rated public state college is University of Louisville. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


17 results

Centre College
C
Danville, KY

Centre College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Jan 15

Transylvania University
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

University of Louisville
L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Feb 15

University of Kentucky
K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Feb 15

Bellarmine University
B
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Feb 1

Asbury University
A
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Kentucky

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

Thomas More University
T
Crestview Hills, KY
 

Thomas More University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

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

Murray State University
M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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

Spalding University
S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

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

Georgetown College
G
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

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

Eastern Kentucky University
E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Aug 1

Northern Kentucky University
N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Aug 15

Midway University
M
Midway, KY

Midway University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

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

University of the Cumberlands
T
Williamsburg, KY

University of the Cumberlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Aug 31

Western Kentucky University
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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

Applications Due Aug 1

Union College
U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

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

Kentucky State University
K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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