2023 Best Value Nursing 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. This report analyzed 34 schools in Kentucky to see which ones offered the best value programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
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 Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Jefferson Community and Technical College the best value school in Kentucky for nursing students working on their degree. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 557 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Jefferson Community and Technical College are $15,320 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,344 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $38,170 annually.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Jefferson Community and Technical College is ranked #1 for overall quality in Kentucky.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is located in Lexington, Kentucky and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 740 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College are $15,320 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,647 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $39,280 annually.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Bluegrass Community and Technical College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Kentucky.
The excellent programs at Gateway Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Kentucky. Gateway is a public institution located in Florence, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 403 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gateway are $15,320 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,491 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Gateway graduates make an average of $38,770 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Gateway also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Madisonville Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Madisonville, Kentucky, and it awarded 329 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Madisonville Community College are $15,240 a year. On average, students take out $14,634 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend West Kentucky Community and Technical College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Paducah, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 412 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College are $15,240 a year. On average, students take out $13,740 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
Big Sandy Community and Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 249 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,051 in loans while pursuing 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 ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 256 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SKYCTC are $15,240 per year. On average, students take out $18,216 in loans while pursuing 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 full report on Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This small public school is located in Maysville, Kentucky, and it awarded 353 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,110 in student loans.After graduating from Maysville Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,391 during the early years of their career.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Southeast is a public institution located in Cumberland, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 135 degrees in 2020-2021.
Southeast undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,215 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Southeast, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,786 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and it awarded 212 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. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,459 in student loans. 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.
Henderson Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Henderson, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Henderson Community College are $15,240 per year. On average, students take out $18,182 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Henderson Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,680 during the early year of their career.
Somerset Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Somerset, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 250 students in 2020-2021.
SCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,406 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,815 during the early years of their career.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Elizabethtown, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,186 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,037 during the early year of their career.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Ashland Community and Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. ACTC is a public institution located in Ashland, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 314 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ACTC are $15,240 per year. On average, students take out $14,519 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ACTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,541 during the early years of their career.
Hazard Community and Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Hazard Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Hazard, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 177 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hazard Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,072 in student loans.After graduating from Hazard Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,826 during the early years of their career.
Owensboro Community and Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 57 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Owensboro Community and Technical College are $15,240 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Owensboro Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $36,152 annually.
Read full report on Owensboro Community and Technical College
Kentucky Christian University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Grayson, Kentucky, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kentucky Christian University are $22,130 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $29,035 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Kentucky Christian University graduates make an average of $47,296 annually.
University of the Cumberlands came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 degrees to qualified students.
Cumberlands undergraduate students pay an average of $9,875 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,361 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $86, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cumberlands, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,758 during the early years of their career.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 870 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NKU are $20,448 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,681 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NKU graduates make an average of $42,837 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, NKU also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Kentucky State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Frankfort, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
KY State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,870 in tuition and fees each year. 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.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Richmond, Kentucky, and it awarded 312 degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern undergraduate students pay an average of $20,024 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,284 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 $185. Once they receive their degree, Eastern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,738 during the early year of their career.
Western Kentucky University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it awarded 347 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WKU are $27,000 per year. On average, students take out $25,012 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
University of Kentucky came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Kentucky ranking. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 339 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UK are $31,608 a year. On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $389, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UK, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,675 during the early years of their career.
UK also took the #4 spot in our Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky rankings.
Murray State University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Murray, Kentucky, and it awarded 149 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Murray State are $18,528 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,713 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $228, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Murray State graduates make an average of $41,161 annually.
Sullivan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private for-profit school awarded 158 diplomas to qualifed students 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,500 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $262 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.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Sullivan University is ranked #5 for overall quality in Kentucky.
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
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More Kentucky Rankings
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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