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Best Nursing Schools in Kentucky: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 14, 2026

Explore Kentucky's 20 nursing programs across universities and community colleges. Compare tuition costs ($4,656–$47,180/yr), admission rates, and graduate earnings to find your ideal nursing pathway.

Overview of Nursing Education in Kentucky

Kentucky offers prospective nursing students 20 accredited programs across the state—8 community colleges and 12 universities. Whether you're pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at a community college or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a university, Kentucky provides affordable, accessible pathways into one of healthcare's fastest-growing professions.

The state's nursing programs range dramatically in cost and selectivity. Community college tuition averages $4,656–$4,706 per year, while university programs range from $9,708 to $47,180 annually. Graduation rates vary from 43.8% to 69.3%, and post-graduation earnings span $46,851 to $185,872 per year depending on the degree level and institution.

For in-state students, Kentucky's public universities and community colleges represent exceptional value compared to national averages. This guide will help you navigate your options, understand costs, and choose a program aligned with your career goals.

Top University Nursing Programs in Kentucky

Tier 1: Research Universities with Strong Nursing Programs

University of Kentucky (Lexington)

Tuition: $13,212/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 92.4%
Graduation Rate: 69.3%
Graduate Earnings: $111,861/year (Graduate Certificate)
Enrollment: 23,189 students

UK is Kentucky's flagship university and offers one of the state's highest graduation rates for nursing students. With a 92.4% acceptance rate, UK is accessible to most qualified applicants while maintaining strong academic standards. The university's nursing program benefits from research opportunities and partnerships with UK HealthCare, one of the region's largest health systems.

University of Louisville (Louisville)

Tuition: $12,828/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 80.5%
Graduation Rate: 61.4%
Graduate Earnings: $93,851/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 14,187 students

UofL's nursing program is competitive (80.5% acceptance) and offers advanced degree pathways. Graduates with Master's degrees earn $93,851 annually, positioning UofL as an excellent choice for students planning to pursue graduate education or advanced practice roles. The university's location in Louisville provides clinical placement opportunities across Kentucky's largest metropolitan area.

Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond)

Tuition: $10,130/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 78.1%
Graduation Rate: 49.5%
Graduate Earnings: $113,532/year (Graduate Certificate)
Enrollment: 11,674 students

EKU offers the lowest tuition among Kentucky's selective public universities at $10,130/year. Graduates earning graduate certificates average $113,532 annually—among the highest in the state. EKU's rural location in Richmond provides unique clinical experiences in underserved healthcare settings.

Tier 2: Accessible Public Universities

Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green)

Tuition: $11,436/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 97.0%
Graduation Rate: 52.5%
Graduate Earnings: $100,103/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 12,267 students

WKU has the highest acceptance rate (97.0%) among Kentucky's universities, making it highly accessible. Doctoral degree graduates earn $100,103 annually. The university's nursing program serves south-central Kentucky and offers strong community partnerships.

Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights)

Tuition: $10,896/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 96.0%
Graduation Rate: 49.2%
Graduate Earnings: $138,264/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 8,065 students

NKU offers excellent value with tuition of $10,896/year and a 96% acceptance rate. Notably, doctoral degree graduates earn $138,264 annually—the second-highest earnings among Kentucky nursing programs. Located in Highland Heights near Cincinnati, NKU serves the Northern Kentucky region.

Murray State University (Murray)

Tuition: $9,708/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 86.2%
Graduation Rate: 59.0%
Graduate Earnings: $185,872/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 6,646 students

Murray State has the lowest tuition ($9,708/year) among Kentucky's public universities and the highest earnings for doctoral degree graduates at $185,872 annually. With an 86.2% acceptance rate and 59% graduation rate, Murray State represents excellent value for students seeking advanced practice roles.

Morehead State University (Morehead)

Tuition: $9,838/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 82.1%
Graduation Rate: 47.5%
Graduate Earnings: $59,589/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 4,689 students

Morehead State offers affordable tuition ($9,838/year) and serves eastern Kentucky's rural communities. The smaller enrollment (4,689 students) provides a more intimate educational experience.

Private Universities

Bellarmine University (Louisville)

Tuition: $47,180/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 93.6%
Graduation Rate: 63.9%
Graduate Earnings: $91,724/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 2,286 students

Bellarmine is Kentucky's most expensive nursing program at $47,180/year, but offers the second-highest graduation rate (63.9%) among all state programs. The small enrollment creates a highly personalized educational experience. Master's graduates earn $91,724 annually.

University of the Cumberlands (Williamsburg)

Tuition: $9,875/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 71.4%
Graduation Rate: 45.3%
Graduate Earnings: $97,899/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 5,468 students

Cumberlands offers affordable private education at $9,875/year with a selective 71.4% acceptance rate. Master's graduates earn $97,899 annually.

Campbellsville University (Campbellsville)

Tuition: $26,990/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 98.3%
Graduation Rate: 43.8%
Graduate Earnings: $65,518/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 2,641 students

Campbellsville has the highest acceptance rate (98.3%) among private universities but the lowest graduation rate (43.8%), suggesting lower academic rigor or student support. Tuition is $26,990/year.

For-Profit Institutions

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville (Louisville)

Tuition: Not publicly listed
Graduation Rate: 62.5%
Graduate Earnings: $72,065/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 4,184 students

Galen is a for-profit nursing college with a solid 62.5% graduation rate. Bachelor's graduates earn $72,065 annually.

Sullivan University (Louisville)

Tuition: $14,220/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 28.8%
Graduate Earnings: $65,125/year (Associate's Degree)
Enrollment: 2,498 students

Sullivan University has the lowest graduation rate (28.8%) among all Kentucky nursing programs, suggesting significant completion challenges. The $14,220 tuition is moderate, but the low completion rate warrants careful consideration.

Community College Nursing Programs: The Affordable ADN Path

Kentucky's 8 community colleges offer Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN) at exceptional value—tuition ranges from $4,656 to $4,706 per year. Community college graduates can work as Registered Nurses immediately upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam, then pursue BSN degrees later through RN-to-BSN bridge programs.

Top Community College Options by Region:

Bluegrass Community and Technical College (Lexington)

Tuition: $4,706/year
Graduate Earnings: $52,109/year (Associate's Degree)
Enrollment: 7,713 students

The largest community college program in Kentucky, Bluegrass CTC serves central Kentucky and offers strong connections to UK HealthCare.

Jefferson Community and Technical College (Louisville)

Tuition: $4,706/year
Graduate Earnings: $52,537/year (Associate's Degree)
Enrollment: 7,105 students

Jefferson CTC is Kentucky's second-largest nursing program and serves Louisville's healthcare market with excellent job placement opportunities.

Gateway Community and Technical College (Florence)

Tuition: $4,656/year
Graduate Earnings: $59,138/year (Associate's Degree)
Enrollment: 2,824 students

Gateway CTC offers the highest earnings among community college graduates at $59,138/year, likely due to proximity to Cincinnati's higher-wage healthcare market.

Other Community Colleges:

Somerset CTC (Somerset): $4,656/yr, $57,298 graduate earnings
Elizabethtown CTC (Elizabethtown): $4,656/yr, $49,701 graduate earnings
Southcentral Kentucky CTC (Bowling Green): $4,656/yr, $53,345 graduate earnings
West Kentucky CTC (Paducah): $4,656/yr, $49,017 graduate earnings
Owensboro CTC (Owensboro): $4,656/yr, $46,851 graduate earnings

Community College Advantages:

Tuition is 50–75% lower than universities
Smaller class sizes and more individualized attention
Faster entry into the nursing workforce (2 years vs. 4)
Ability to work as an RN while pursuing a BSN
Strong transfer agreements with Kentucky universities

How to Choose the Right Nursing Program

1. Decide Between ADN and BSN

Choose ADN (Community College) if you:

Need to minimize costs ($4,656–$4,706/year)
Want to enter the workforce quickly (2 years)
Plan to pursue a BSN later through RN-to-BSN programs
Prefer smaller class sizes and more support

Choose BSN (University) if you:

Want to complete your degree in 4 years without interruption
Plan to pursue advanced practice roles (NP, CRNA, CNM)
Prefer research opportunities and university resources
Can afford higher tuition ($9,708–$47,180/year)

2. Evaluate Graduation Rates

Graduation rates vary significantly (43.8%–69.3% among universities). Higher graduation rates suggest better student support, academic rigor, and program quality. University of Kentucky (69.3%) and Bellarmine (63.9%) have the strongest completion rates.

3. Consider Geographic Location

Kentucky's nursing programs are distributed across the state:

Louisville: UofL, Bellarmine, Sullivan, Galen, Jefferson CTC
Lexington: UK, Bluegrass CTC
Northern Kentucky: NKU
Western Kentucky: WKU, Southcentral Kentucky CTC
Eastern Kentucky: EKU, Morehead State
South-Central: Campbellsville, University of the Cumberlands
Western Region: Murray State, West Kentucky CTC

Choose a location where you'll have access to quality clinical placements and where you plan to work after graduation.

4. Compare Tuition and Financial Aid

Public universities average $10,130–$13,212/year. Private universities range from $9,875–$47,180/year. Community colleges average $4,656–$4,706/year. Contact each school's financial aid office to compare:

Merit scholarships
Need-based aid
Work-study opportunities
Nursing-specific scholarships

5. Review Admission Requirements

Acceptance rates range from 71.4% (Cumberlands) to 98.3% (Campbellsville). Most programs require:

High school diploma or GED
Prerequisite courses (chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology)
Minimum GPA (typically 2.5–3.0)
TEAS or HESI entrance exam
Background check and health screening

Competitive programs (UofL, EKU, Cumberlands) may require higher GPAs and entrance exam scores.

Nursing Job Market in Kentucky

Kentucky's nursing job market is strong and growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurse employment is projected to grow 6% nationally through 2032. Kentucky's healthcare industry employs over 50,000 nurses across hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.

Top Nursing Employers in Kentucky:

University of Kentucky HealthCare (Lexington)
University of Louisville Health (Louisville)
Baptist Health (Louisville)
Appalachian Regional Hospitals (Eastern Kentucky)
Owensboro Health (Western Kentucky)
St. Elizabeth Healthcare (Northern Kentucky)

Average RN Salaries in Kentucky:

Entry-level RN: $46,851–$59,589/year
Experienced RN: $72,065–$100,103/year
Advanced Practice (NP, CRNA): $138,264–$185,872/year

Community college graduates earn $46,851–$59,138/year as entry-level RNs. Bachelor's degree graduates earn $65,518–$100,103/year. Advanced degree holders (Master's, Doctoral) earn $91,724–$185,872/year.

Financial Aid for Nursing Students in Kentucky

Federal Aid

Federal Student Loans: Stafford loans available to all eligible students (up to $31,000 for undergraduates)
Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year for low-income students (2023–2024)
FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.gov

Kentucky-Specific Aid

Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA): Offers state grants and loans
Workforce Development Grant: Up to $2,500/year for healthcare students in underserved areas
Nursing Scholarship Program: Loan forgiveness for graduates working in rural or underserved Kentucky communities

University Scholarships

Most Kentucky universities offer nursing-specific scholarships ($1,000–$10,000/year)
Merit scholarships based on GPA and test scores
Need-based aid packages combining grants and loans

Community College Financial Aid

Community college tuition is low enough that many students pay out-of-pocket or use federal grants
Many community colleges offer payment plans and employer tuition assistance programs

Next Steps: Compare Programs and Apply

You've now reviewed Kentucky's 20 nursing programs. The next step is to:

Narrow your choices based on location, cost, and program type
Request information packets from your top 3–5 schools
Attend campus visits to tour facilities and meet faculty
Compare financial aid packages from each school
Apply early (most programs have rolling admissions)

Use GradeToGrad to compare all Kentucky nursing programs side-by-side: Visit GradeToGrad's health programs in Kentucky to access detailed program profiles, student reviews, and cost comparisons.

Application Timeline

Fall of Senior Year: Take entrance exams (TEAS, HESI), request transcripts
November–December: Submit applications (most programs accept rolling admissions)
January–March: Attend interviews and campus visits
April–May: Receive acceptance letters and financial aid packages
May–June: Deposit and confirm enrollment

Kentucky's nursing programs offer excellent value and strong employment prospects. Whether you choose a community college ADN program or a university BSN, you're investing in a career with job security, competitive salaries, and meaningful work in healthcare. Start comparing programs today on GradeToGrad and take the first step toward your nursing career.