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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky

34 Schools Ranked
$39,687 Average Earnings
$21,861 Avg Student Debt

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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. This report analyzed 34 schools in Kentucky to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Kentucky

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$38,170 Average Earnings
$18,344 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Jefferson Community and Technical College the best school in Kentucky for nursing students working on their degree.

On average, students take out $18,344 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $38,170 annually.

Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College

#2

Bellarmine University

Louisville, Kentucky
$46,915 Average Earnings
$28,396 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bellarmine University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,396 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $272. Once they receive their degree, Bellarmine U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,915 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Bellarmine University

$39,280 Average Earnings
$17,647 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Bluegrass Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Kentucky.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,647 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $39,280 annually.

Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College

#4

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
$43,675 Average Earnings
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Kentucky. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $389, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UK graduates make an average of $43,675 annually.

Read full report on University of Kentucky

#5

Sullivan University

Louisville, Kentucky
$44,464 Average Earnings
$28,500 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Sullivan University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,500 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $262, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Sullivan University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,464 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Sullivan University

#6

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
$42,837 Average Earnings
$26,681 Avg Student Debt

Northern Kentucky University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

On average, students take out $26,681 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $199 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NKU graduates make an average of $42,837 annually.

Read full report on Northern Kentucky University

$38,770 Average Earnings
$17,491 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Gateway Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,491 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gateway graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,770 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#8

Kentucky Christian University

Grayson, Kentucky
$47,296 Average Earnings
$29,035 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Kentucky Christian University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $29,035 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Kentucky Christian University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,296 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Kentucky Christian University

#9

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
$49,447 Average Earnings
$22,775 Avg Student Debt

University of Louisville ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

On average, students take out $22,775 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $239. During the early years of their career, UofL graduates make an average of $49,447 annually.

Read full report on University of Louisville

#10

Midway University

Midway, Kentucky
$44,638 Average Earnings
$26,421 Avg Student Debt

Midway University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $26,421 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Midway, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,638 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Midway University

#11

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
$37,898 Average Earnings
$25,012 Avg Student Debt

Western Kentucky University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,012 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $220 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WKU graduates make an average of $37,898 annually.

Read full report on Western Kentucky University

#12

Spalding University

Louisville, Kentucky
$48,695 Average Earnings
$33,730 Avg Student Debt

Spalding University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list.

Degree recipients from Spalding accumulate an average of $33,730 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Spalding, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,695 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Spalding University

#13

Madisonville Community College

Madisonville, Kentucky
$41,288 Average Earnings
$14,634 Avg Student Debt

Madisonville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,634 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Madisonville Community College graduates make an average of $41,288 annually.

Full Madisonville Community College Report

$29,988 Average Earnings
$13,740 Avg Student Debt

West Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from West Kentucky Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,740 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,988 during the early year of their career.

Full West Kentucky Community and Technical College Report

#15

University of Pikeville

Pikeville, Kentucky
$39,949 Average Earnings
$26,584 Avg Student Debt

University of Pikeville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking.

Degree recipients from UPIKE accumulate an average of $26,584 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UPIKE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,949 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Pikeville

#16

Union College Kentucky

Barbourville, Kentucky
$44,511 Average Earnings
$29,216 Avg Student Debt

Union College Kentucky landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Union College accumulate an average of $29,216 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Union College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,511 during the early year of their career.

Full Union College Kentucky Report

#17

Beckfield College - Florence

Florence, Kentucky
$32,658 Average Earnings
$35,073 Avg Student Debt

Beckfield College - Florence ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

On average, students take out $35,073 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Beckfield College - Florence graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,658 during the early year of their career.

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#18

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
$37,738 Average Earnings
$26,284 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,284 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $185, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Eastern, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,738 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Eastern Kentucky University

#19

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
$43,758 Average Earnings
$24,361 Avg Student Debt

University of the Cumberlands came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,361 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $86. Once they receive their degree, Cumberlands graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,758 during the early year of their career.

Full University of the Cumberlands Report

#20

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
$41,161 Average Earnings
$23,713 Avg Student Debt

Murray State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,713 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $228. Once they receive their degree, Murray State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,161 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#21

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky
$36,321 Average Earnings
$33,472 Avg Student Debt

Kentucky State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,472 in student loans.After graduating from KY State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,321 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#22

Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Prestonsburg, Kentucky
$36,262 Average Earnings
$16,051 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Big Sandy Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,051 in student loans.After graduating from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,262 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

$32,998 Average Earnings
$18,216 Avg Student Debt

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list.

Degree recipients from SKYCTC accumulate an average of $18,216 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SKYCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,998 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

$30,391 Average Earnings
$18,110 Avg Student Debt

Maysville Community and Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list.

Degree recipients from Maysville Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $18,110 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Maysville Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $30,391 annually.

Read More…

#25

Hopkinsville Community College

Hopkinsville, Kentucky
$36,124 Average Earnings
$18,459 Avg Student Debt

Hopkinsville Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $18,459 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Hopkinsville Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,124 during the early year of their career.

Full Hopkinsville Community College Report

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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.

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