2023 Best Nursing 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.
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.
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Top Nursing Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Jefferson Community and Technical College the best school in Kentucky for nursing students working on their degree. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 4,096 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Jefferson Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,442 in student debt by the time they complete 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
The excellent programs at Bellarmine University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Kentucky. Louisville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 971 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bellarmine U accumulate an average of $43,540 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $321 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Bellarmine U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,915 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This fairly large public school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 5,011 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,138 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $124, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $39,280 annually.
The excellent programs at University of Kentucky helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Kentucky. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 8,890 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $36,151 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $460. During the early years of their career, UK graduates make an average of $43,675 annually.
Out of the 34 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Sullivan University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Sullivan University is a small private for-profit school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 871 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $44,478 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $254 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Sullivan University graduates make an average of $44,464 annually.
With a ranking of #6, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 3,792 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NKU accumulate an average of $32,046 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $214. Once they receive their degree, NKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,837 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #7, Gateway Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Gateway is located in Florence, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,188 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Gateway accumulate an average of $12,919 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Gateway graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,770 during the early year of their career.
Kentucky Christian University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Kentucky Christian University is located in Grayson, Kentucky and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 133 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Kentucky Christian University accumulate an average of $26,767 in student debt by the time they complete 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.
University of Louisville landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. University of Louisville is a large public school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 5,751 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UofL accumulate an average of $39,948 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $267 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UofL graduates make an average of $49,447 annually.
Midway University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Midway, Kentucky, and it awarded 348 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,997 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Midway graduates make an average of $44,638 annually.
Western Kentucky University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. WKU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 4,485 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,038 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $280.After graduating from WKU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,898 during the early years of their career.
Spalding University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Spalding is a private not-for-profit institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 556 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $47,885 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Spalding graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,695 during the early year of their career.
Madisonville Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Madisonville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,547 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,138 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Madisonville Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,288 during the early years of their career.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Paducah, Kentucky that handed out 2,586 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,008 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $29,988 annually.
Read full report on West Kentucky Community and Technical College
University of Pikeville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. University of Pikeville is a small private not-for-profit school located in Pikeville, Kentucky that handed out 521 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $77,595 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UPIKE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,949 during the early year of their career.
Union College Kentucky ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Barbourville, Kentucky, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 349 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,146 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Union College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,511 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #17, Beckfield College - Florence did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This very small private for-profit school is located in Florence, Kentucky, and it awarded 199 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Beckfield College - Florence accumulate an average of $24,721 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Beckfield College - Florence, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,658 during the early years of their career.
Eastern Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Eastern is located in Richmond, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,622 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Eastern accumulate an average of $27,474 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $218, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Eastern graduates make an average of $37,738 annually.
University of the Cumberlands ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6,956 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,285 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $122, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Cumberlands graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,758 during the early year of their career.
Murray State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Murray, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,172 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,882 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $329. During the early years of their career, Murray State graduates make an average of $41,161 annually.
Kentucky State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. KY State is located in Frankfort, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 218 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from KY State accumulate an average of $24,452 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, KY State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,321 during the early year of their career.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. This small public school is located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, and it awarded 1,345 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Big Sandy Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $12,938 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Big Sandy Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,262 during the early year of their career.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. SKYCTC is a small public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 2,374 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans.After graduating from SKYCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,998 during the early years of their career.
Full Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Maysville, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 2,815 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Maysville Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,094 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Maysville Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,391 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #25, Hopkinsville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Hopkinsville Community College is a public institution located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,124 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College accumulate an average of $12,364 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Hopkinsville Community College graduates make an average of $36,124 annually.
Best Nursing 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.
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