Choices for online colleges in Kentucky are plentiful, as no fewer than 10 universities offer a robust selection of online degree choices. An online education can help you to stay competitive in the workplace, while allowing you the flexibility to control your schedule, attending classes while managing the demands of work and family life.
Four reasons to find an online college in your state:
- Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
- Be a part of a university or college you know and love
- Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
- Be close enough to easily visit when desired
Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Kentucky:
We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Kentucky, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Kentucky may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Kentucky.
The Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
1University of Louisville
(Louisville, KY)
The University of Louisville, founded in 1798, is a public university and a member of the Kentucky state university system. Its School of Medicine performed the first self-contained artificial heart transplant as well as the first successful hand transplant. The university teaches more than 20,000 students and offers degree programs in roughly 170 programs of study.
The University of Louisville offers several baccalaureate, master’s and certificate programs online. Bachelor’s degree options include nursing and criminal justice. Master’s degree offerings include social work and special education. Certifications include data mining and information security.
Online student resources include disability services and an online library with librarian live chat and access to multiple online journals and scholarly article databases.
The University of Louisville is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
2Western Kentucky University
(Bowling Green, KY)
Western Kentucky University, founded in 1906, has roots that go back to the Glasgow Normal School, established in 1875. The Glasgow Normal School transferred to what is now Western Kentucky University. The university offers over 100 degree programs spanning 6 academic colleges, including the state’s first Honors College. The university also has a study abroad program.
Western Kentucky University offers a wide variety of online associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Associate degrees include early childhood education and interdisciplinary studies. Bachelor’s degree options include criminology and sociology. Master’s degree offerings include biology and nursing. Certifications available include manufacturing and Lean Six Sigma.
Resources for online students include disability services, counseling, financial services, online tutoring, an online writing center, technical support, test preparation, career services and an online library with librarian live chat and access to scholarly article, journal, ebook and streaming media databases.
Western Kentucky University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
3Eastern Kentucky University
(Richmond, KY)
Eastern Kentucky University offers more than 160 degree programs across 5 academic colleges, with 25 of those degree programs available online. Established in 1906, the university began awarding degrees in 1925 and awarded its first doctoral degrees in 2010.
Eastern Kentucky University offers a variety of associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs online. Associate’s degrees include science paramedicine and police studies. Bachelor’s degrees include emergency medicine and homeland security. Master’s degree programs include education and public administration. Doctoral degrees include occupational therapy and nursing. Certifications include safety management and paralegal studies.
Resources available to online students include an online library with librarian live chat, interlibrary loan and access to a wealth of online article and video databases.
Eastern Kentucky University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
4Asbury University
(Wilmore,KY)
Asbury University, founded in 1890, is a private, Christian college. Asbury University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and is a member of the Christian College Consortium. Asbury boasts an enrollment of 1,700 students around the globe.
Accelerated online bachelor’s degree completion programs are available in elementary education, leadership and ministry, organizational management, and instruction design, as well as an online associate of science degree.
Asbury University’s Digital Storytelling program, which combines online courses with short-term in-person instruction allows students to complete a blended Master’s in Communications. Students without an undergraduate degree in media also must attend a two-week to four-week on-campus session.
Online courses at Asbury University feature asynchronous elements and real-time collaborations.
Asbury University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and also holds specialized accreditations from the Council on Social Work Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
5Northern Kentucky University
(Highland Heights, KY)
Northern Kentucky University is a liberal arts university established in 1968. The university was originally the University of Kentucky’s northern campus, but splintered off as its own four-year college in 1968. The school has over 13,000 students in attendance and 6 academic colleges.
Northern Kentucky University offers a number of online baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, specialist and certificate programs. Bachelor’s degrees include history and library informatics. Master’s degree programs include education and nursing. Doctoral degrees include nursing, while specialist degrees include multiple topics in education. Certifications include cybersecurity and business informatics.
Online student resources include an online library with access to a librarian via text message, instant messenger or over the phone.
Northern Kentucky University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
6Brescia University
(Owensboro, KY)
Brescia University, established in 1950, is a Roman Catholic university. The university grew out of two universities which merged in 1950: Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women and Owensboro. The university is named after the city of Brescia, the Italian city where the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph was originally established. The university has over 900 students enrolled in 6 academic colleges.
Brescia University offers several associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs through BUonline. Some of their more popular programs include associate’s degrees in business and graphic design, bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology, master’s degrees in management and certificates in accounting.
Online student resources include technical support and an online library with librarians available via email, text message or over the phone as well as access to a variety of scholarly articles and journal databases.
Brescia University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
7Murray State University
(Murray, KY)
Murray State University, a public university, has over 10,000 students in attendance and offers more than 115 degree programs across 30 academic departments. The university also has more than 1,000 international students in attendance from numerous countries around the world.
Murray State University has a variety of online baccalaureate, masters and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degree programs include business administration and integrated studies. Online master’s degree programs include agriculture and organizational communication. Online certification options include professional writing and nonprofit leadership.
Online student resources include technical support, career services, counseling, disability services, an online writing center with toll-free Grammar Hotlines and an online library with access to a variety of online databases, academic journals and government document databases, as well as librarians available via live chat, text message and over the phone.
Murray State University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
8Morehead State University
(Morehead, KY)
Morehead State University first opened its doors in 1887 as a Christian-based teacher’s college, but the state bought it out in 1922. The school has four academic colleges and provides more than 220 degree programs, more than 20 of which are available online.
Morehead State University offers several online baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degree programs include business administration and computer information systems. Online master’s degree programs include educational technology and social science, while online certifications include special education.
Online student resources include an online job board, 24/7 online tutoring, online mock job interviews, online health services and an online library with librarian live chat, free delivery for library materials and access to over 100 databases.
Morehead State University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
9Campbellsville University
(Campbellsville, KY)
The Russel Creek Baptist Association founded Campbellsville University in 1906. The university, open to students of all denominations, has over 3,000 students. Over 90% of these students receive financial aid. In addition, the university is a NAIA Gold Star Champions of Character Institution, one of only a handful in America.
Campbellsville University offers several online associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Associate degrees include business administration and criminal justice. Bachelor’s degrees include social work and nursing. Master’s degrees include sport management and multiple topics in education, while certificates include Christian ministry.
Resources for online students include an online library with librarian live chat and access to a wide variety of online databases, ebooks, electronic journals and much more.
Campbellsville University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
10University of the Cumberlands
(Williamsburg, KY)
The University of the Cumberlands, established in 1889, is a Southern Baptist university. The university awarded its first graduate degree in 1988, which led to its graduate college becoming a critical component of the university today. In 2006, the university began offering graduate degrees entirely online, beginning with education degrees to its more than 3,000 students. Doctoral and specialist degrees are also available with more on the horizon.
The University of the Cumberlands offers several baccalaureate, master, doctoral and specialist programs online. Bachelor’s degrees include psychology and criminal justice. Master’s degree options include business administration and information systems security. Doctoral degree offerings include leadership and clinical psychology, while specialist degrees include education.
Online student resources include an online job board and an online library with access to over 50,000 online periodicals, a wealth of streaming media and more than 80 full text research databases.
The University of the Cumberlands is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
11Midway College
(Midway, KY)
Midway College, established in 1847, is unique in that its Day College is reserved for female students only and is the only university in Kentucky with an all-female college. This stems from the university’s founding as a school for female orphans. The Day College offers majors within business, equine studies, nursing and teacher education. The Christian liberal arts university is co-ed otherwise, offering classes on weekends, evenings and online for its roughly 1,100 adult learners.
Midway College offers a variety of associate’s and baccalaureate degrees online. Associate’s degree options include business administration, while bachelor’s degree offerings include business administration, criminal justice, marketing and several topics in education.
Resources available to online students include online tutoring, online job boards, technical support and an online library with access to an assortment of online scholarly article, journal and ebook databases as well as library materials by mail.
Midway College is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).