# Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 22 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-kentucky

## Methodology

Nursing 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.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Bellarmine University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellarmine-university) | Louisville, KY | 66% | $62,069 | $21,499 | $25,000 | 0.4x |
| 2 | [Northern Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-kentucky-university) | Highland Heights, KY | 50% | $50,220 | $8,191 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 3 | [University of Kentucky](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-kentucky) | Lexington, KY | 71% | $59,025 | $18,851 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 4 | [University of Louisville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-louisville) | Louisville, KY | 61% | $53,899 | $17,988 | $20,500 | 0.38x |
| 5 | [University of the Cumberlands](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-cumberlands) | Williamsburg, KY | 48% | $45,036 | $14,107 | $14,911 | 0.33x |
| 6 | [Murray State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/murray-state-university) | Murray, KY | 60% | $44,737 | $9,096 | $20,500 | 0.46x |
| 7 | [Berea College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/berea-college) | Berea, KY | 60% | $43,150 | $6,106 | $3,591 | 0.08x |
| 8 | [Western Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-kentucky-university) | Bowling Green, KY | 55% | $43,889 | $10,990 | $22,095 | 0.5x |
| 9 | [Eastern Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-kentucky-university) | Richmond, KY | 50% | $45,795 | $11,040 | $22,500 | 0.49x |
| 10 | [University of Pikeville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pikeville) | Pikeville, KY | 40% | $48,231 | $20,311 | $20,679 | 0.43x |
| 11 | [Morehead State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morehead-state-university) | Morehead, KY | 50% | $43,197 | $9,793 | $22,250 | 0.52x |
| 12 | [Georgetown College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgetown-college) | Georgetown, KY | 48% | $52,074 | $14,095 | $25,200 | 0.48x |
| 13 | [Kentucky Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kentucky-christian-university) | Grayson, KY | 35% | $42,375 | $24,038 | $22,250 | 0.53x |
| 14 | [Thomas More University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thomas-more-university) | Crestview Hills, KY | 40% | $59,384 | $21,835 | $26,236 | 0.44x |
| 15 | [Kentucky Wesleyan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kentucky-wesleyan-college) | Owensboro, KY | 49% | $46,747 | $17,131 | $23,250 | 0.5x |
| 16 | [Campbellsville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/campbellsville-university) | Campbellsville, KY | 44% | $41,583 | $19,341 | $17,156 | 0.41x |
| 17 | [Spalding University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spalding-university) | Louisville, KY | 54% | $49,438 | $25,491 | $25,250 | 0.51x |
| 18 | [Kentucky State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kentucky-state-university) | Frankfort, KY | 30% | $36,382 | $8,040 | $25,938 | 0.71x |
| 19 | [Lindsey Wilson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lindsey-wilson-college) | Columbia, KY | 41% | $41,129 | $15,070 | $16,784 | 0.41x |
| 20 | [Union Commonwealth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/union-commonwealth-university) | Barbourville, KY | 34% | $42,002 | $21,311 | $24,250 | 0.58x |
| 21 | [Midway University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midway-university) | Midway, KY | 43% | $44,246 | $29,579 | $21,301 | 0.48x |
| 22 | [Brescia University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brescia-university) | Owensboro, KY | 51% | $45,500 | $8,709 | $29,430 | 0.65x |

## 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 Nursing Colleges in Kentucky." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-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/.