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Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky

23 Schools Ranked
$21,405 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,455 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Kentucky to see which bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

623 Total Awards
$43,752 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Galen College of Nursing - Louisville the most popular school in Kentucky for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a small private for-profit school located in Louisville, Kentucky that handed out 623 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $43,752 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#2

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
293 Total Awards
$12,610 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,735 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Kentucky. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. UK is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 293 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Kentucky who attend UK full time pay an average of $12,610 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $31,608. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UK accumulate an average of $23,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UK. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#3

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
265 Total Awards
$12,370 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,509 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Louisville is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the large public school handed out 265 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $12,370 in tuition and fees if they attend UofL full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $28,716. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UofL accumulate an average of $23,509 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

UofL 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, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Louisville

#4

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
251 Total Awards
$10,392 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,974 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Kentucky University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 251 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Kentucky who attend NKU full time pay an average of $10,392 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,448. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,974 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

NKU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#5

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
185 Total Awards
$24,984 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Western Kentucky University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Western Kentucky University is a fairly large public school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 185 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,984 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WKU. 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.

Read full report on Western Kentucky University

#6

Bellarmine University

Louisville, Kentucky
156 Total Awards
$44,620 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,396 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Bellarmine University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 156 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Bellarmine U is $44,620. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Bellarmine U accumulate an average of $28,396 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Bellarmine U 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. In 2019-2020 about 7% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Bellarmine University Report

#7

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
153 Total Awards
$9,752 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,405 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 153 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $9,752 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Eastern. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,024. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,405 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Eastern. During the 2019-2020 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Eastern Kentucky University

#8

Spalding University

Louisville, Kentucky
137 Total Awards
$26,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,730 Avg Student Debt

Spalding University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree 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 137 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Spalding is $26,500. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $33,730 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Spalding does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

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#9

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
120 Total Awards
$9,252 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,713 Avg Student Debt

Murray State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Murray State is a medium-sized public school situated in Murray, Kentucky. It awarded 120 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Murray State is $9,252. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,528. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,713 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Murray State. In fact, around 46% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#10

Morehead State University

Morehead, Kentucky
69 Total Awards
$9,462 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,271 Avg Student Debt

Morehead State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Morehead State University is a medium-sized public school located in Morehead, Kentucky that handed out 69 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $9,462 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Morehead State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,106. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $29,271 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Morehead State University does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Read full report on Morehead State University

#11

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
68 Total Awards
$24,361 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, University of the Cumberlands did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Cumberlands accumulate an average of $24,361 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

Cumberlands is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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#12

Union College Kentucky

Barbourville, Kentucky
37 Total Awards
$28,889 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,216 Avg Student Debt

Union College Kentucky came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit school located in Barbourville, Kentucky that handed out 37 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Union College is $28,889. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Union College accumulate an average of $29,216 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Union College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Union College Kentucky Report

#13

Beckfield College - Florence

Florence, Kentucky
32 Total Awards
$13,295 Average Tuition & Fees
$42,848 Avg Student Debt

Beckfield College - Florence came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Florence, Kentucky, the very small private for-profit school handed out 32 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend Beckfield College - Florence, expect to pay an average of $13,295 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $42,848 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Beckfield College - Florence is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Beckfield College - Florence Report

#14

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia, Kentucky
28 Total Awards
$25,718 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,348 Avg Student Debt

Lindsey Wilson College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Lindsey Wilson College is located in Columbia, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees at Lindsey Wilson College is $25,718. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,348 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lindsey Wilson College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#14

Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, Kentucky
28 Total Awards
$34,760 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,149 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Thomas More University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Thomas More University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Crestview Hills, Kentucky that handed out 28 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Thomas More is $34,760. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $33,149 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Thomas More. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Thomas More University

#16

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, Kentucky
26 Total Awards
$25,400 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,365 Avg Student Debt

Campbellsville University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you want to attend Campbellsville University, expect to pay an average of $25,400 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,365 in student loans. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Campbellsville University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#17

University of Pikeville

Pikeville, Kentucky
16 Total Awards
$22,650 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,323 Avg Student Debt

University of Pikeville came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Pikeville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

UPIKE does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $22,650. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,323 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

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.

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#18

Kentucky Christian University

Grayson, Kentucky
15 Total Awards
$22,130 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,035 Avg Student Debt

Kentucky Christian University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Kentucky Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grayson, Kentucky. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 15 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Kentucky Christian University is $22,130. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,035 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kentucky Christian University does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 2% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Kentucky Christian University

#19

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky
10 Total Awards
$9,020 Average Tuition & Fees
$32,597 Avg Student Debt

Kentucky State University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. This small public school is located in Frankfort, Kentucky, and it awarded 10 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Kentucky who attend KY State full time pay an average of $9,020 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,870. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,597 in student loans. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at KY State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Kentucky State University

#20

Berea College

Berea, Kentucky
8 Total Awards
$43,612 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,164 Avg Student Debt

Berea College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Berea is located in Berea, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you want to attend Berea, expect to pay an average of $43,612 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Berea accumulate an average of $7,164 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Berea 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. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#21

Sullivan University

Louisville, Kentucky
5 Total Awards
$37,495 Avg Student Debt

Sullivan University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Sullivan University is a small private for-profit school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 5 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $37,495 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Sullivan University 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. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Sullivan University

#21

Midway University

Midway, Kentucky
5 Total Awards
$24,850 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,845 Avg Student Debt

Midway University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Midway, Kentucky, and it awarded 5 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Midway is $24,850. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,845 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#23

Daymar College - Bowling Green

Bowling Green, Kentucky
$35,797 Avg Student Debt

Daymar College - Bowling Green did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list.

On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $35,797 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Daymar College - Bowling Green is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Daymar College - Bowling Green Report

View Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 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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