Havingan excellent education is the first step to a bright and prosperous future. Formany students, however, the price of a college education can be easilyoverwhelming, with rising tuition and cost of living their primary challenge.
The times are changing, though as more and more schools embrace new technology and a contemporary form of learning. While traditional schools require students to attend classes on campus and follow a rigorous schedule, many universities and colleges include innovative teaching by offering online courses and programs.
Thestate of Kentucky has several educational institutions that offer onlinelearning. This is extremely valuable for students who want to save money fortransportation and lodging costs while working to supplement their tuition. Itis also an excellent option for many adult learners who want to take adifferent path, further their education and learn new skills to advance theircareer and reap more benefits.
Thereis a myriad of benefits when it comes to online learning. Aside from theconvenience and the flexibility of a schedule that online education offers,students are also able to attend online classes anywhere. They can take thecourse at their own pace, letting them juggle their career and personalresponsibilities while pursuing their college degree.
Many Kentucky residents will be able to enjoy online learning through several universities and colleges. The state is quite supportive when it comes to improving public education. They have introduced initiatives like the Kentucky Virtual Campus, a program launched by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education that enhances and expands educational access.
METHODOLOGYWhile there are many online colleges and universities in Kentucky, not all of them are created equal! For this reason, our researchers and writers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com put together the 5 Top Online Schools in Kentucky. This list reflects the online academic institutions in the state that stand out because of their features and programs that demonstrate excellence in shaping future degree holders and professionals. All the online schools on the list share these features:
Rigorous coursework to provide superior training and instruction to produce the most competent graduates,
An outstanding virtual online platform that enables students to access their online coursework and lectures,
Excellent student-teacher ratio to promote enhanced instruction and learning,
Accreditation from agencies that enforce high-quality online college program curriculum standards.
Visit our Methodology Page to find out about our ranking process.
Asbury University
With a reputation for academic excellence and spiritual vitality, Asbury University offers a rigorous liberal arts education that can prepare students for a better future. Located in Wilmore, Kentucky, the university is no stranger at opening doors for thousands of students from 41 states and 35 foreign nations. It offers a rich variety of programs, encompassing undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees.
Whilemost of the students live on campus, Asbury University is also known for offeringdistance education. It has several personalized online programs, speciallydesigned for adult learners. They aim to help students complete their degreesin a non-traditional method. Their online programs utilize a relationalapproach to learning, providing a marketable skill set to help them advance intheir future profession.
Asbury University has varied offerings, from an Associate of Science, online Health Promotion, and Wellness, and Leadership and Ministry programs to Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Social Work. The online classes are recorded and archived, making it easier for students to access lecture materials at their convenience. They also have access to technical support, library services, and academic advising.
Their online degree programs have the same accreditations as their on-campus counterparts, making them just as valid for employment requirements. The tuition for online programs is around $399 per credit hour, making it one of the most affordable tuition rates in the state of Kentucky.
Location: Wilmore, Kentucky
Admission Requirements:- Complete
the online admission form. There is no application fee. Applicants are notifiedonce their application is received.
Officialtranscripts from previously attended colleges and universities, if applicable.Otherwise, official high school transcript may be submitted.
- Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
NationalCouncil for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Councilon Social Work Education
University of Louisville
Making its home in the largest metropolitan area of the state of Kentucky, the University of Louisville is a state-supported research university. It joined the university system in 1970. The university is spread out in three campuses, namely Belknap Campus three miles down Louisville, Health Sciences Center in downtown Louisville's medical complex, and the Shelby Campus in eastern Jefferson County.
Emphasizingthe pursuit of excellence and inclusiveness, the University of Louisville aimsto educate and serve its community by offering diverse undergraduate andgraduate degrees to help develop engaged citizens, leaders, and scholars. Theyencourage students to practice and apply research, scholarships, and creativeactivity in their entire learning journey. They are also committed to providingequality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons, regardlessof race, age, gender, color, and ethnicity, and religion.
Theuniversity has extensive program offerings through their 12 schools andcolleges. They are currently offering more than 200 degree programs, givingaspiring students the chance to explore different educational paths and careeroptions that will suit them best. Apart from their traditional, on-campusprograms, the university is also one of the few in Kentucky that offers onlineprograms both for out-of-state students and international students.
Theironline programs include undergraduate and graduate degrees as well ascertificates. It will suit students who have previously attended college butwant to return as traditional students or adult learners who want to finishtheir college degree online. Their online programs are the perfect option forthose who wish to fit education in their busy life and schedule.
Someof the most notable online programs include BS in Communication, BS in Nursing,BA in Psychology, MS in Biostatistics, MS in Criminal Justice, and AppliedGeospatial Technologies, among many others.
Throughonline learning at the University of Louisville, students will be able toconnect to learning opportunities that add value to their professionaladvancement and professional development.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Admission Requirements:- Submit
application form (undergraduate, graduate, certificate) and application fee of$25, non-refundable
Officialcollege/high school transcripts to the Office of Admissions
MinimumGPA of 2.5 (may vary depending on degree program)
- Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
TheAssociation to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Councilon Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
AmericanChemical Society
AmericanPsychological Association
Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Councilfor Interior Design Accreditation
Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education
Commissionon Accreditation of Counselling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
AccreditationCouncil for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Western Kentucky University
Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Kentucky University is situated on a hilltop campus and known as the place of beauty and friendliness. Its mission is to prepare students from all backgrounds to be productive, engaged, and socially responsible members of society.
Theuniversity offers undergraduate degree programs, including baccalaureatemajors, minors, and certificate levels. It also has a variety of options foronline programs and courses. Their online programs are quite extensive, withmore than 100 online degree options to choose from. They have certificates,undergraduate, and graduate programs. The courses are taught by highlyqualified faculty, the same as their on-campus classroom counterparts. Many oftheir online programs are nationally ranked, and all programs are regionallyaccredited.
As the norm in most distance learning programs, online offerings at the university provides flexibility that allows students an opportunity to advance their education and expand their career opportunities at their own pace. Western Kentucky University also provides support services designed specifically for distance learners. It includes Orientation and Library Tutorial, Online Writing Center, Online Tutoring, and Career Services.
Studentscan choose programs ranging from Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Bachelor ofScience in Computer Information Technology, Master of Arts in History, Masterof Arts in Education, Master of Business Administration, and many more.
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Admission Requirements:- High
School GPA of 2.0
CompositeAdmission Index (CAI) score of at least 60
ACT/SATscore (only for students below 21 years old)
HighSchool Transcripts
Completionof Pre-College Curriculum (but only for students who finished high school inKentucky)
- Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
AccreditationCommission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
AccreditationCouncil for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Associationof University Programs in Health Administration
Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Councilon Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Councilon Social Work Education
Kentucky'sEducational Professional Standards Board
NationalAssociation of Art and Design
NationalCouncil for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Midway University
Formerly known as the Kentucky Female Orphan School, Midway University has now grown into a prestigious educational institution that provides advanced instruction in a broad range of subjects based upon a strong liberal arts curriculum.
The university is an excellent choice for many students for many reasons. For one, they offer majors and programs that are career-focused. The faculty and student ratio are kept at a minimum as well, allowing for personal interaction that encourages interactive learning. They aim to provide students with individual attention.
Geared toward women's education, the university had since opened its doors for co-ed in 2016. Their desire to accommodate busy students is realized by offering day and evening flexible classes as well as online ones.
Thelatter makes it easy to earn a degree, anytime and anywhere. The onlineprograms offer the flexibility and convenience that students need to earn adegree of their dream. Most of the programs are provided in an accelerated8-week format. Although students get to complete their courses in their setting,they can still easily connect with their faculty members, join studentdiscussions, and have multiple ways to interact and be engaged in the learningprocess.
Someof the bachelor degrees offered online include Business Administration,Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Health Care Administration, MarketingCommunications, Mathematics, Nursing, and many more.
Location: Midway, Kentucky
Admission Requirements:- Complete
online application form
OfficialACT or SAT results (if under the age of 24) with a score of 18 or equivalentfor SAT
Officialhigh school transcript or official GED (GPA of 2.5 or GED Score of 660
- Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
AccreditationCommission for Education in Nursing
Sullivan University
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Sullivan University offers career-focused higher education for students who want to aim high. It is a private institution of higher learning, providing educational enrichment opportunities for the intellectual, social, and professional development of its students.
Theirprograms range from diploma, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoraldegree levels. In 2018, the university merged with Spencerian College andSullivan College of Technology and Design, expanding the course selection forstudents and lowering the tuition rate for undergraduate programs.
Their academic offerings are diverse, with programs that can be taken on-campus or online. The online programs are designed to fit education into the students' hectic life. All they need is a computer, strong time-management skills, and a lot of motivation. The university made sure that online offerings meet the practical needs of today's job market.
Thefollowing are just some of the bachelor's degree programs offered at SullivanUniversity: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in BusinessAdministration with a Concentration in Management, Finance, Health CareManagement, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management, and Bachelor of Science inHuman Resource Leadership.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Admission Requirements:- Completed
application form
Highschool diploma or GED certificate
ACTor SAT score
Officialtranscript from a previous educational institution
Interview
- Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Commissionon Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Councilfor Interior Design Accreditation
Commissionon Massage Therapy Accreditation
Commissionon Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
AccreditingBureau of Health Education Schools
Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education
AccreditationCouncil for Pharmacy Education
The southern state of Kentucky has,in recent years, seen an increase in students pursuing distance learning oronline education. Given the sometimes challenging pace of modern life as wellas the growing omnipresence of high-speed Internet in households nationwide,it's easy to see why online education is becoming more and more attractive toaspiring students in Kentucky.
Affordability and accessibility are two of the biggest strengths of online colleges and universities. Working parents, stay-at-home parents, persons with disabilities, older people with reduced mobility, veterans, and military members of the armed forces, and many more can now have access to quality education at a lower cost than on-campus offerings, all without leaving the comfort of their own home. The flexible schedules and start dates of various colleges and universities allow people to craft a schedule and pace that best fits their lifestyle. Aside from generally having more affordable tuition rates compared to traditional campuses, online schools can also allow students on a budget to save big on transportation, dorm, or meal costs.
In addition, almost all courses offered by online schools are taught by the same expert faculty who teach on campus. Many of these online colleges and universities also receive accreditation for their online programs to ensure their quality and alignment with industry standards. Online students get all these benefits at a fraction of the cost of traditional education, so it seems there's nowhere to go but up for the future of online education.
METHODOLOGYIt goes without saying that, when looking for an online school in Kentucky, students consider college tuition and expenses as one of the many deciding factors. Affordability is an important feature of an online school, especially amidst the increasing number of graduates with mounting college debt. To help you make your choice, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com showcases the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Kentucky. While offering a variety of cheap online college programs, these online colleges and universities are committed to delivering high-quality education.
Kentucky State University
In 1886, this historically black university was established by the state of Kentucky and only had three teachers and fifty-five students upon its opening. Now, Kentucky State University stretches across 883 acres of land and is home to around 2,000 students. It also boasts one of the lowest students to faculty ratios among the colleges and universities in Kentucky and is even the alma mater of Thailand's former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Kentucky State University offers afully online Distance Education program that is considered one of the mostaffordable in the state. Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice, Psychology,and Public Administration that can be completed in 120 credit hours areavailable, as well as a master's degree in Special Education, a doctorate inNursing Practice, and three credit-based Online Certificate programs. Aninteresting addition to Kentucky State's Distance Education program is their50-plus online course offerings that students can take and earn credits forregardless of their degree. Like many other universities offering onlinelearning, Kentucky State University utilizes the virtual classroom and learningmanagement system Blackboard™.
For part-time undergraduatestudents (those taking less than twelve credit hours), Kentucky StateUniversity charges $400 per credit hour, while full-time students (those takingtwelve or more hours) can enjoy a lower rate of $325, and the average annualtuition fee is one of the most affordable in the state, at an estimated $7,750.
Location: Frankfort,Kentucky
AdmissionRequirements:Cumulative or unweighted 2.5 GPA
SAT score of 940 or higher
ACT Composite score of 19 or higher
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University, established in 1948, is home to a student population of around 14,000. The liberal arts university has also been part of Forbes' America's Top Colleges list for ten years in a row, and yet it remains one of the more affordable, top value educational institutions in the state of Kentucky.
More than 30 online degrees are on offer in Northern Kentucky University's online catalog. Students can choose from three program formats: a 5-week format available only for MBA students, an accelerated 7-week format, and a 16-week format. Bachelor of arts options include Psychological Science, Integrative Studies, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership, among others, and Bachelor of Science degrees like Health Science, Respiratory Care, and Business Information Systems are also on offer. As Northern Kentucky University is an approved State Authority Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) institution, students can be assured that the university meets the national standards set for online learning and distance education.
Fees for undergraduate studentstaking online degrees start a reasonable rate of $448 per credit hour, andannual tuition is around $9,100 on average. Majority of the online degrees canbe completed in 120 credit hours, except for some health-related offerings,such as their Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Bachelor of Science inNursing, which take 33 and 30 hours respectively.
Location:Highland Heights, Kentucky
AdmissionRequirements:- Official high school transcripts or GED scores (no
indicated minimum score)
COMPASS/Accuplacer scores (the university's placementoffice can schedule test-taking); otherrequirements may vary depending on the degree and student status
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Eastern Kentucky University
The regional public Eastern Kentucky University founded in 1906 is a mainstay on many top colleges lists nationwide and, at the same time, remains an affordable on-campus and online education option for aspiring students in the state of Kentucky. Most recently, Eastern Kentucky came in at #28 in the U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Regional Universities South – Top Public Schools list, and it was also #99 in its Best Online Bachelor's Programs list.
Despite the recognition andaccolades, Eastern Kentucky University's online tuition is at a competitiverate of $409 per credit hour, and their in-state tuition and fees per yeartotal $8,150 on average. Almost all of Eastern Kentucky's bachelor's degrees require120 credit hours, and 21 programs are currently on offer. Aside from the more popularoptions like Accounting, Psychology, and Business Administration, EasternKentucky also has some unique offerings, such as Fire, Arson & ExplosionInvestigation, Fire Protection Administration, Fire Protection & SafetyEngineering Technology, and Homeland Security.
Location:Richmond, Kentucky (with branch campuses in Corbin, Hazard, Lancaster, andManchester)
Admission Requirements:2.5 GPA
Composite ACT score of 20 or higher
950 SAT math and a verbal combined score
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Murray State University
Murray State University (MSU) began as the Murray State Normal School for aspiring teachers, which later expanded into offering other bachelor's degrees and graduate courses until it was officially declared a university in 1966. MSU has also proved its commitment to educational quality by being a consistent presence in Forbes' and U.S. News & World Report's college rankings, having made it to their lists for several years consecutively.
The university also offers a fully online bachelor's, master's, doctor's degrees and certificates for students with a more demanding or unconventional schedule. In-state undergraduate rates begin at $457 ($382 plus $75 per credit hour online course fee) for students taking 1-11 hours or above 15 hours, while a flat rate of $4,584 applies for those taking 12 to 15 hours. The Veteran Affairs office also offers military and veteran discounts. MSU's annual tuition and fees are estimated to range from $7,600 to $8,000, one of the state's most competitive rates.
Eleven undergraduate degrees areoffered by Murray State, including a niche BS Agriculture degree with anAgriscience Technology emphasis and a degree in Nonprofit Leadership Studies,along with more traditional offerings like Business Administration and HumanServices.
Location:Murray, Kentucky (with regional campuses in Fort Campbell, Henderson,Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Paducah)
Admission Requirements:3.0 GPA or higher
SAT score of 960 or higher
ACT Composite score of 18 or higher
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Morehead State University
Despite its humble beginnings as the Morehead Normal School in 1887, Morehead State University went on to expand its reach and is now the educational institution of choice of 10,000 students both on-campus and via their online education programs.
A mix of fully online and hybrid(with last two years of coursework offered online) programs ranging from onlinecertifications to undergraduate degrees to master's degrees are on offer tostudents. In 2017, more than 4,200 students, or almost half of Morehead'sstudent population, enrolled in its online offerings, proving Morehead'spopularity in the distance learning and online education industry.
Part-time undergraduate students, or those taking 11 or fewer hours, residing in Kentucky and individual Ohio reciprocity counties can benefit from the $374 per credit hour rate. Those taking 12 to 18 hours are charged a flat rate of $4,485 per semester. On average, students pay roughly $8,100 annually in tuition and fees.
Location:Morehead, Kentucky (with regional campuses in Ashland, Mt. Sterling, andPrestonsburg)
Admission Requirements:SAT score of 860 or higher / ACT score of 18 or higher
Admission index of 500 or higher ([high school GPA x 100] + [ACT score x 10])
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
