Best test-optional colleges in Kentucky
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in Kentucky25 schools
25 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Kentucky.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions 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
Berea College
Berea, KY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 58% graduate
- 2
Centre College
Danville, KY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 81% graduate
- 3
Transylvania University
Lexington, KY · Private nonprofit#3 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 71% graduate
- 4
- 5
- 6
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit#7 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 64% graduate
- 7
- 8
Brescia University
Owensboro, KY · Private nonprofitTop 12% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 54% graduate
- 9
Murray State University
Murray, KY · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 61% graduate
- 10
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · PublicTop 10% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 11
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · PublicTop 18% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 50% graduate
- 12
Kentucky Christian University
Grayson, KY · Private nonprofit#14 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 37% graduate
- 13
Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY · Private nonprofit#15 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 49% graduate
- 14
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY · Private nonprofitTop 19% for low debt
- SAT or ACT not required
- 50% graduate
- 15
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · PublicTop 18% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 56% graduate
- 16
Morehead State University
Morehead, KY · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 17
Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY · Private nonprofit#21 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 41% graduate
- 18
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, KY · Private nonprofit#22 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 47% graduate
- 19
Spalding University
Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit#23 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 20
- 21
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low debt
- SAT or ACT not required
- 42% graduate
- 22
Union Commonwealth University
Barbourville, KY · Private nonprofit#26 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 32% graduate
- 23
Alice Lloyd College
Pippa Passes, KY · Private nonprofit#27 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 39% graduate
- 24
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY · PublicTop 10% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 32% graduate
- 25
Simmons College of Kentucky
Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit#29 in Kentucky
- SAT or ACT not required
- 14% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berea College | $6,106 | $3,591 | $43,150 | 58% |
| Centre College | $20,781 | $27,000 | $66,240 | 81% |
| Transylvania University | $21,913 | $27,000 | $54,705 | 71% |
| University of Kentucky | $18,851 | $22,500 | $59,025 | 71% |
| Asbury University | $21,401 | $24,028 | $42,368 | 65% |
| Bellarmine University | $21,499 | $25,000 | $62,069 | 64% |
| University of Louisville | $17,988 | $20,500 | $53,899 | 61% |
| Brescia University | $8,709 | $29,430 | $45,500 | 54% |
| Murray State University | $9,096 | $20,500 | $44,737 | 61% |
| Northern Kentucky University | $8,191 | $23,000 | $50,220 | 52% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | $11,040 | $22,500 | $45,795 | 50% |
| Kentucky Christian University | $24,038 | $22,250 | $42,375 | 37% |
| Georgetown College | $14,095 | $25,200 | $52,074 | 49% |
| University of the Cumberlands | $14,107 | $14,911 | $45,036 | 50% |
| Western Kentucky University | $10,990 | $22,095 | $43,889 | 56% |
| Morehead State University | $9,793 | $22,250 | $43,197 | 52% |
| Thomas More University | $21,835 | $26,236 | $59,384 | 41% |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | $17,131 | $23,250 | $46,747 | 47% |
| Spalding University | $25,491 | $25,250 | $49,438 | 52% |
| Midway University | $29,579 | $21,301 | $44,246 | 41% |
| Campbellsville University | $19,341 | $17,156 | $41,583 | 42% |
| Union Commonwealth University | $21,311 | $24,250 | $42,002 | 32% |
| Alice Lloyd College | $18,600 | $19,599 | $40,573 | 39% |
| Kentucky State University | $8,040 | $25,938 | $36,382 | 32% |
| Simmons College of Kentucky | $18,434 | — | — | 14% |
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 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34