Best Nursing Schools in Louisville: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
January 27, 2026
Compare 12 Louisville nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Louisville?
Louisville offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 12 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of Kentucky (Lexington)
In-state tuition: $13,212/year | Acceptance rate: 92.4% | Graduation rate: 69.3%
Nursing graduates earn $111,861/year (Graduate Certificate). Enrollment: 23,189 students.
University of Louisville (Louisville)
In-state tuition: $12,828/year | Acceptance rate: 80.5% | Graduation rate: 61.4%
Nursing graduates earn $93,851/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 14,187 students.
Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green)
In-state tuition: $11,436/year | Acceptance rate: 97.0% | Graduation rate: 52.5%
Nursing graduates earn $100,103/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 12,267 students.
Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond)
In-state tuition: $10,130/year | Acceptance rate: 78.1% | Graduation rate: 49.5%
Nursing graduates earn $113,532/year (Graduate Certificate). Enrollment: 11,674 students.
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville (Louisville)
In-state tuition: N/A/year | Graduation rate: 62.5%
Nursing graduates earn $72,065/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 4,184 students.
Sullivan University (Louisville)
In-state tuition: $14,220/year | Graduation rate: 28.8%
Nursing graduates earn $65,125/year (Associate's Degree). Enrollment: 2,498 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | Lexington | $4,706/yr | $52,109/yr |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | Louisville | $4,706/yr | $52,537/yr |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College | Elizabethtown | $4,656/yr | $49,701/yr |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College | Bowling Green | $4,656/yr | $53,345/yr |
| Gateway Community and Technical College | Florence | $4,656/yr | $59,138/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Louisville:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Kentucky's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Louisville nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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