2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
The Best Value 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. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Kentucky to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Gateway Community and Technical College the best value school in Kentucky for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Florence, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 100 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway are $15,320 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,591 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Gateway. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its great value ranking, Gateway is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is located in Lexington, Kentucky and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College are $15,320 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,015 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Jefferson Community and Technical College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 86 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Jefferson Community and Technical College are $15,320 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Jefferson Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Henderson Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Henderson Community College is a small public school situated in Henderson, Kentucky. It awarded 44 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Henderson Community College are $15,240 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,894 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Henderson Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 25 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s value ranking, Hopkinsville Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Hopkinsville Community College is a small public school situated in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. It awarded 55 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hopkinsville Community College are $15,240 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,125 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Hopkinsville Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 33 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SKYCTC are $15,240 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,042 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SKYCTC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 #7, Owensboro Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Owensboro Community and Technical College is located in Owensboro, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 associate degrees to qualified students.
Owensboro Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. 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. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, Madisonville Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Madisonville Community College is located in Madisonville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 associate degrees to qualified students.
Madisonville Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,192 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Madisonville Community College, 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, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 25 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,652 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity 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.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is located in Paducah, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 associate degrees to qualified students.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,306 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that West Kentucky Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Somerset Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. SCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Somerset, Kentucky. It awarded 77 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SCC are $15,240 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,345 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able 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 #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky that handed out 38 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,810 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Hazard Community and Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Hazard, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 43 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Hazard Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,069 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hazard Community and Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ashland Community and Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. ACTC is a public institution located in Ashland, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
ACTC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,652 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Southeast is a small public school situated in Cumberland, Kentucky. It awarded 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Southeast undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,824 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southeast. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #16, Maysville Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Maysville Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Maysville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Maysville Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,277 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Maysville Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Maysville Community and Technical College
Western Kentucky University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 101 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
WKU undergraduate students pay an average of $27,000 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $25,980 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at WKU, 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, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
WKU did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Kentucky State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. KY State is located in Frankfort, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at KY State are $12,870 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $36,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since KY State does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sullivan University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private for-profit school handed out 107 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Sullivan University undergraduate students pay an average of $13,500 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,771 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Sullivan University. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Sullivan University also took the #2 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky rankings.
Morehead State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Morehead, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 51 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Morehead State University are $14,106 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $27,422 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Morehead State University. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Beckfield College - Florence landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Florence, Kentucky, the very small private for-profit school handed out 107 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Beckfield College - Florence undergraduate students pay an average of $13,295 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $36,171 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Beckfield College - Florence is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Beckfield College - Florence also took the #5 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky rankings.
American National University - Lexington ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. American National University - Lexington is a very small private for-profit school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 33 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ANU Lexington are $10,354 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $31,892 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since ANU Lexington is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
University of Pikeville came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. UPIKE is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pikeville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UPIKE are $22,650 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
UPIKE 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UPIKE is ranked #4 for overall quality in Kentucky.
Midway University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Midway, Kentucky, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 59 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Midway are $24,850 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $25,148 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Midway 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, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Midway also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list, coming in at #3.
Campbellsville University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Campbellsville University are $25,400 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,794 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Campbellsville University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Best Value 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
- 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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