Colleges where the most freshmen return in Kentucky
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Kentucky7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Kentucky.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Centre College
Danville, KY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Kentucky
- 88% of freshmen return
- 81% graduate
- 2
Transylvania University
Lexington, KY · Private nonprofit#3 in Kentucky
- 87% of freshmen return
- 71% graduate
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Berea College
Berea, KY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Kentucky
- 79% of freshmen return
- 58% graduate
- 7
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit#7 in Kentucky
- 75% of freshmen return
- 64% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| University of Louisville | $17,988 | $20,500 | $53,899 | 61% |
| Berea College | $6,106 | $3,591 | $43,150 | 58% |
| Bellarmine University | $21,499 | $25,000 | $62,069 | 64% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15