2026 Best Value Education Schools in Kentucky

1

Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Lexington, KY

Leading the list is Bluegrass Community And Technical College, our #1 best value for education in Kentucky. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Education graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $44,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College
Cumberland, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Jefferson Community And Technical College
Louisville, KY

Jefferson Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $44,346. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,089. Early-career education graduates make about $46,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

5

Big Sandy Community And Technical College
Prestonsburg, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,359. Early-career education graduates make about $46,631. That is a strong return on a $21,359 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #7 for value in education this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Education graduates carry a median of $21,870 in student loans. Education graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,469 early in their careers. Set against $21,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

8

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University placed #8 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $29,282 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $29,282 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Education graduates carry a median of $22,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $47,244. Set against $22,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

10

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $28,445 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $42,234 early in their careers. Set against $28,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

11

Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY

Georgetown College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,938. Early-career education graduates make about $45,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12

Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY

Pikeville College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,850. Students borrow a median of $17,778 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $44,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,778 median debt.

13

Lindsey Wilson College
Columbia, KY

Lindsey Wilson College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,808. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,119. Education graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $34,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.

14

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Education graduates carry a median of $24,339 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $42,379. That is a strong return on a $24,339 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

15

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville came in at #15 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,409 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $57,538. Set against $22,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

16

Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $36,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.

17

Alice Lloyd College
Pippa Passes, KY

Alice Lloyd College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Pippa Passes, Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,960. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,573. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

18

Asbury University
Wilmore, KY

Asbury University placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,640. Education graduates carry a median of $28,065 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $56,675. Set against $28,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

19

Thomas More College
Crestview Hills, KY

Thomas More College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,025. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $40,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

20

Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University came in at #20 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $45,567 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

21

Midway College
Midway, KY

Midway College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Midway. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,563 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Midway College generally make around $45,850. Set against $22,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

Union College Kentucky
Barbourville, KY

Union College Kentucky came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Barbourville, Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,946. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $63,402. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

23

Spalding University
Louisville, KY

Spalding University earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Spalding University generally make around $56,331. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.