# Best Education Colleges in Kentucky

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 23 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-kentucky

## Methodology

Education programs in Kentucky ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Kentucky is home to several colleges offering strong education programs, which can be an important factor for students deciding their future. These institutions not only provide academic instruction but also shape the educators who will influence countless lives in the years to come.

What sets the schools on this list apart is their performance on key outcomes that matter for education majors. This includes average earnings for graduates, graduation rates, and manageable debt levels. The schools below demonstrate varying levels of success across these metrics, helping prospective students identify options that align with their goals.

Take Berea College, for example. While it has a net price of just $6,106, its graduation rate stands at 60%, which is a solid figure. In contrast, the University of Kentucky shows higher earnings at $59,025 and a graduation rate of 71%, but also comes with a significantly higher net price of $18,851. This highlights the tradeoff between cost and potential earnings that students may need to consider.

## Key Findings

- Berea College graduates earn an average of $43,150 with a 60% graduation rate.
- The University of Kentucky leads in earnings at $59,025 but has a higher debt level of $22,500.
- Murray State University has a lower average net price of $9,096 compared to the University of Louisville's $17,988.
- Graduation rates across these programs average 51%, highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Berea College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/berea-college) | Berea, KY | 60% | $43,150 | $6,106 | $3,591 | 0.08x |
| 2 | [University of Louisville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-louisville) | Louisville, KY | 61% | $53,899 | $17,988 | $20,500 | 0.38x |
| 3 | [Murray State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/murray-state-university) | Murray, KY | 60% | $44,737 | $9,096 | $20,500 | 0.46x |
| 4 | [University of the Cumberlands](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-cumberlands) | Williamsburg, KY | 48% | $45,036 | $14,107 | $14,911 | 0.33x |
| 5 | [University of Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-kentucky) | Lexington, KY | 71% | $59,025 | $18,851 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [Northern Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-kentucky-university) | Highland Heights, KY | 50% | $50,220 | $8,191 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 7 | [Western Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-kentucky-university) | Bowling Green, KY | 55% | $43,889 | $10,990 | $22,095 | 0.5x |
| 8 | [Morehead State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morehead-state-university) | Morehead, KY | 50% | $43,197 | $9,793 | $22,250 | 0.52x |
| 9 | [Georgetown College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgetown-college) | Georgetown, KY | 48% | $52,074 | $14,095 | $25,200 | 0.48x |
| 10 | [Eastern Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-kentucky-university) | Richmond, KY | 50% | $45,795 | $11,040 | $22,500 | 0.49x |
| 11 | [Bellarmine University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellarmine-university) | Louisville, KY | 66% | $62,069 | $21,499 | $25,000 | 0.4x |
| 12 | [Transylvania University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/transylvania-university) | Lexington, KY | 71% | $54,705 | $21,913 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 13 | [Thomas More University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thomas-more-university) | Crestview Hills, KY | 40% | $59,384 | $21,835 | $26,236 | 0.44x |
| 14 | [Kentucky Wesleyan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kentucky-wesleyan-college) | Owensboro, KY | 49% | $46,747 | $17,131 | $23,250 | 0.5x |
| 15 | [Asbury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/asbury-university) | Wilmore, KY | 65% | $42,368 | $21,401 | $24,028 | 0.57x |
| 16 | [Lindsey Wilson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lindsey-wilson-university) | Columbia, KY | 41% | $41,129 | $15,070 | $16,784 | 0.41x |
| 17 | [Campbellsville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/campbellsville-university) | Campbellsville, KY | 44% | $41,583 | $19,341 | $17,156 | 0.41x |
| 18 | [Kentucky Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kentucky-christian-university) | Grayson, KY | 35% | $42,375 | $24,038 | $22,250 | 0.53x |
| 19 | [University of Pikeville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pikeville) | Pikeville, KY | 40% | $48,231 | $20,311 | $20,679 | 0.43x |
| 20 | [Brescia University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brescia-university) | Owensboro, KY | 51% | $45,500 | $8,709 | $29,430 | 0.65x |
| 21 | [Alice Lloyd College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alice-lloyd-college) | Pippa Passes, KY | 32% | $40,573 | $18,600 | $19,599 | 0.48x |
| 22 | [Midway University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midway-university) | Midway, KY | 43% | $44,246 | $29,579 | $21,301 | 0.48x |
| 23 | [The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-southern-baptist-theological-seminary) | Louisville, KY | 42% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Education Colleges in Kentucky." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-kentucky

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.