2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 25 schools in Kentucky to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Western Kentucky University to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Kentucky.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,980 in student loans.
WKU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 25 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Sullivan University landed the # 2 spot on the list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,771 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Sullivan University does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Midway University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $24,850 to cover tuition and fees at Midway. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $25,148 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Midway does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Pikeville. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $22,650 to cover tuition and fees at UPIKE. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $22,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UPIKE. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Beckfield College - Florence. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,295 to cover tuition and fees at Beckfield College - Florence. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Beckfield College - Florence accumulate an average of $36,171 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Beckfield College - Florence. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Gateway Community and Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gateway. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,320. Associate Degree recipients from Gateway accumulate an average of $20,591 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Gateway does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, Bluegrass Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College is $4,568. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,320. On average, associate degree students take out $20,015 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Bluegrass Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Kentucky State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at KY State is $9,020. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,870. On average, associate degree students take out $36,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
KY State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Jefferson Community and Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Jefferson Community and Technical College is $4,568. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,320. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,839 in student loans.
Jefferson Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Morehead State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Morehead State University is $9,462. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,106. Associate Degree recipients from Morehead State University accumulate an average of $27,422 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Morehead State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #11, Campbellsville University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Campbellsville University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $25,400. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $22,794 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Campbellsville University does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Henderson Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Henderson Community College is $4,488. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $19,894 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Henderson Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #13, Hopkinsville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they attend Hopkinsville Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,125 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hopkinsville Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #14, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Kentucky who attend SKYCTC full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $19,042 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at SKYCTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Owensboro Community and Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Owensboro Community and Technical College is $4,488. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,529 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Owensboro Community and Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Owensboro Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #16, Madisonville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Madisonville Community College is $4,488. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $15,192 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Madisonville Community College. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they attend Big Sandy Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,652 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Big Sandy Community and Technical College
American National University - Lexington came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,892 in student loans.
ANU Lexington is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
With a ranking of #19, West Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend West Kentucky Community and Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,306 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that West Kentucky Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Somerset Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SCC is $4,488. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,345 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SCC. In 2019-2020 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Students from Kentucky who attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,240. Associate Degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $16,810 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Hazard Community and Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Hazard Community and Technical College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $15,069 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Hazard Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Ashland Community and Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ACTC is $4,488. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,652 in student loans.
ACTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #24, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Kentucky who attend Southeast full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. On average, associate degree students take out $15,824 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Southeast does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Full Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Maysville Community and Technical College is $4,488. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,277 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Maysville Community and Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.