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Best colleges in Kentucky

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first
RankSchoolCompass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data on outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching. The ring shows where the college stands.AcademicsAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
1Berea CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Berea, KYA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 19%AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 8%
2Centre CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Danville, KYAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 7%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
3Transylvania UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Lexington, KYA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 14%B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
4Galen College of Nursing-LouisvilleRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Louisville, KYBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 33%
5University of KentuckyRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Lexington, KYB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 34%
6Asbury UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Wilmore, KYB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
7Bellarmine UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Louisville, KYB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 30%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 45%
8University of LouisvilleLouisville, KYB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 29%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
9Brescia UniversityOwensboro, KYBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
10Murray State UniversityMurray, KYBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 43%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 26%
11Kentucky Mountain Bible CollegeJackson, KY—Academics: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.—Value: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.
12Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 21%
13Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KYBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 33%
14Kentucky Christian UniversityGrayson, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
15Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 37%
16University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 25%
17Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
18Lindsey Wilson CollegeColumbia, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 42%
19University of PikevillePikeville, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
20Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KYBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 34%
21Thomas More UniversityCrestview Hills, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
22Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
23Spalding UniversityLouisville, KYBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
24Midway UniversityMidway, KYB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
25Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
26Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
27Alice Lloyd CollegePippa Passes, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
28Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
29Simmons College of KentuckyLouisville, KYC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.—Value: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first

  1. 1
    Berea CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Berea, KY
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 19%
    • ValueAValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 8%
  2. 2
    Centre CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Danville, KY
    • AcademicsAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 7%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
  3. 3
    Transylvania UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Lexington, KY
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 14%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  4. 4
    Galen College of Nursing-LouisvilleRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Louisville, KY
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 33%
  5. 5
    University of KentuckyRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Lexington, KY
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 34%
  6. 6
    Asbury UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Wilmore, KY
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  7. 7
    Bellarmine UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Louisville, KY
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 30%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 45%
  8. 8
    University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 29%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
  9. 9
    Brescia UniversityOwensboro, KY
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
  10. 10
    Murray State UniversityMurray, KY
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 43%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 26%
  11. 11
    Kentucky Mountain Bible CollegeJackson, KY
    • Academics—Academics: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.
    • Value—Value: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.
  12. 12
    Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 21%
  13. 13
    Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 33%
  14. 14
    Kentucky Christian UniversityGrayson, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  15. 15
    Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 37%
  16. 16
    University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 25%
  17. 17
    Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
  18. 18
    Lindsey Wilson CollegeColumbia, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 42%
  19. 19
    University of PikevillePikeville, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  20. 20
    Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 34%
  21. 21
    Thomas More UniversityCrestview Hills, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  22. 22
    Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  23. 23
    Spalding UniversityLouisville, KY
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  24. 24
    Midway UniversityMidway, KY
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  25. 25
    Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  26. 26
    Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  27. 27
    Alice Lloyd CollegePippa Passes, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  28. 28
    Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  29. 29
    Simmons College of KentuckyLouisville, KY
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • Value—Value: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.

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