Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Kentucky
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Kentucky8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Kentucky.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
- 2
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit#7 in Kentucky
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 64% graduate
- 3
- 4
Murray State University
Murray, KY · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 61% graduate
- 5
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · PublicTop 10% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 52% graduate
- 6
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · PublicTop 18% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 50% graduate
- 7
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · PublicTop 18% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 56% graduate
- 8
Morehead State University
Morehead, KY · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 52% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | About $19,000 | $22,500 | $59,025 | 71% |
| Bellarmine University | About $21,000 | $25,000 | $62,069 | 64% |
| University of Louisville | About $18,000 | $20,500 | $53,899 | 61% |
| Murray State University | About $9,000 | $20,500 | $44,737 | 61% |
| Northern Kentucky University | About $8,000 | $23,000 | $50,220 | 52% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | About $11,000 | $22,500 | $45,795 | 50% |
| Western Kentucky University | About $11,000 | $22,095 | $43,889 | 56% |
| Morehead State University | About $10,000 | $22,250 | $43,197 | 52% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4