ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Kentucky

21 Colleges in the United States
5,101 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,436 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools to find the best for liberal arts students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 4
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 24.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "AA in Liberal Arts" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AA in Liberal Arts" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in General Studies" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in General Studies" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 2 offers with relevance >= 0.9

Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Kentucky

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Kentucky.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1
Bellarmine University crest
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bellarmine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $46,024. Typical student debt for the program is $26,766. Get the full liberal arts details for Bellarmine University

2
Thomas More College crest
Thomas More College
Crestview Hills, KY

Thomas More College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Thomas More College awarded about 26 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $62,607 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,358 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Thomas More College

3

Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. Jefferson Community And Technical College awarded about 718 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Jefferson Community And Technical College earn around $36,623 in the first couple years of their career. Jefferson Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,730 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Jefferson Community And Technical College

4

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at University Of Kentucky, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. About 73 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,690 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Kentucky

5
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 96 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $36,072. Students borrow a median of $25,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Northern Kentucky University

6

Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Bluegrass Community And Technical College awarded about 819 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $30,467. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the liberal arts program at Bluegrass Community And Technical College

7
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Campbellsville University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $43,474. Typical student debt for the program is $28,956. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Campbellsville University

8

Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #8 for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 400 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Owensboro Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $26,002. Typical student debt for the program is $9,386. Read more about the liberal arts program at Owensboro Community And Technical College

9

University Of Louisville earned the #9 position for liberal arts this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. About 34 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $22,239. Students borrow a median of $27,001 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Louisville

10

West Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 208 liberal arts degrees were awarded at West Kentucky Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $26,590 early in their careers. West Kentucky Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for West Kentucky Community And Technical College

11

Murray State University came in at #11 for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Murray State University awarded about 12 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Murray State University earn around $34,304 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Murray State University

12

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 477 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $28,792 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Elizabethtown Community And Technical College

13

Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Florence. About 295 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Gateway Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Gateway Community And Technical College earn around $36,311 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,400 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Gateway Community And Technical College

14

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 295 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $27,263. Students borrow a median of $10,949 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College

15
Union College Kentucky crest
Union College Kentucky
Barbourville, KY

Union College Kentucky placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Barbourville. About 32% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Union College Kentucky in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $54,587 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,852. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Union College Kentucky

16

Kentucky State University placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. About 32 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Kentucky State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Kentucky State University earn around $28,497 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Kentucky State University

17

Hopkinsville Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hopkinsville. About 216 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Hopkinsville Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $27,978. Hopkinsville Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Hopkinsville Community College

18

Ashland Community And Technical College came in at #18 for liberal arts this year. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Ashland Community And Technical College awarded about 123 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $27,263 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,399. Get the full liberal arts details for Ashland Community And Technical College

19

Madisonville Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Madisonville. There were roughly 189 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Madisonville Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $24,019 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,218. Read more about the liberal arts program at Madisonville Community College

20

Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 137 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Hazard Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Hazard Community And Technical College earn around $27,569 in the first couple years of their career. Hazard Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,442 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Hazard Community And Technical College

21

Maysville Community And Technical College came in at #21 for liberal arts this year. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. Maysville Community And Technical College awarded about 146 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Maysville Community And Technical College earn around $27,342 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,703. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Maysville Community And Technical College

22

Somerset Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 324 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Somerset Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $24,279. Typical student debt for the program is $12,625. Get the full liberal arts details for Somerset Community College

23

Henderson Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public institution. Henderson Community College awarded about 81 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $30,204 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,516 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Henderson Community College

24

Big Sandy Community And Technical College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Prestonsburg. Big Sandy Community And Technical College awarded about 131 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $22,504 in their early career. Big Sandy Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,129 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Big Sandy Community And Technical College

25

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 182 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $26,182 early in their careers. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,900 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College

ADBLOCK #173
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options