Best Value Degrees in Kentucky (2026)
Top 100 of 365 programs in Kentucky · Updated 2026
The best college programs in Kentucky, ranked by overall value. We scored 365 programs across Kentucky schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $59,517/yr in graduate earnings.
Programs in KY
365
Avg Earnings (Top 100)
$59,517/yr
Avg DW Score
69/100
#1 Program
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Eastern Kentucky University
Top Programs in Kentucky
Top 100 programs by DegreeWorth Score. Click any row for full analysis.
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY |
84
81–83 |
$68,633/yr | High | 18.3x |
| 2 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
84
78–85 |
$71,293/yr | Very High | 16.3x |
| 3 |
Computer Engineering
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
83
76–84 |
$72,710/yr | Very High | 19.3x |
| 4 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Morehead State University · Morehead, KY |
83
81–83 |
$70,523/yr | High | 17.6x |
| 5 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Murray State University · Murray, KY |
83
81–83 |
$68,608/yr | High | 18.1x |
| 6 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
83
77–84 |
$62,411/yr | Very High | 18.9x |
| 7 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY |
82
80–81 |
$68,294/yr | High | 15.5x |
| 8 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
81
79–81 |
$68,649/yr | High | 15.3x |
| 9 |
Construction Management
Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY |
80
77–81 |
$68,726/yr | High | 19.6x |
| 10 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
80
77–80 |
$71,461/yr | High | 12.8x |
| 11 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
80
78–80 |
$69,027/yr | High | 13.2x |
| 12 |
Construction Management
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
80
78–81 |
$67,295/yr | High | 19.6x |
| 13 |
Accounting and Related Services
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
79
75–80 |
$59,474/yr | Very High | 14.1x |
| 14 |
Finance and Financial Management Services
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
79
76–80 |
$58,422/yr | Very High | 14.2x |
| 15 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
University of the Cumberlands · Williamsburg, KY |
77
74–77 |
$81,012/yr | High | 19.5x |
| 16 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Kentucky Christian University · Grayson, KY |
76
73–76 |
$76,970/yr | High | 7.0x |
| 17 |
Finance and Financial Management Services
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
76
73–77 |
$52,167/yr | Very High | 13.4x |
| 18 |
Accounting and Related Services
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
76
72–77 |
$52,425/yr | Very High | 15.0x |
| 19 |
Finance and Financial Management Services
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
75
73–77 |
$50,457/yr | Very High | 15.0x |
| 20 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Sullivan University · Louisville, KY |
75
69–76 |
$52,134/yr | Very High | 12.6x |
| 21 |
Accounting and Related Services
Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY |
75
72–77 |
$50,104/yr | Very High | 14.7x |
| 22 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Beckfield College-Florence · Florence, KY |
75
71–75 |
$83,033/yr | High | 14.6x |
| 23 |
Accounting and Related Services
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
74
71–76 |
$51,923/yr | Very High | 12.7x |
| 24 |
Electrical
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
73
70–75 |
$77,732/yr | Very High | 18.0x |
| 25 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Thomas More University · Crestview Hills, KY |
73
71–73 |
$70,955/yr | High | 4.4x |
| 26 |
Electrical
Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY |
73
69–74 |
$74,205/yr | Very High | 19.0x |
| 27 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Campbellsville University · Campbellsville, KY |
72
70–72 |
$65,518/yr | High | 6.0x |
| 28 |
Quality Control
Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY |
72
70–73 |
$71,240/yr | High | 21.6x |
| 29 |
Electrical
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
72
68–73 |
$78,006/yr | Very High | 15.8x |
| 30 |
Chemical Engineering
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
72
70–73 |
$70,675/yr | High | 18.1x |
| 31 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
72
69–73 |
$71,169/yr | Very High | 16.6x |
| 32 |
Allied Health Diagnostic
Morehead State University · Morehead, KY |
72
71–72 |
$64,504/yr | Moderate | 17.3x |
| 33 |
Information Science/Studies
Murray State University · Murray, KY |
72
69–73 |
$43,178/yr | Very High | 21.9x |
| 34 |
Civil Engineering
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
71
69–72 |
$66,064/yr | High | 16.4x |
| 35 |
Quality Control
Murray State University · Murray, KY |
71
69–71 |
$66,418/yr | High | 21.1x |
| 36 |
Management Information Systems and Services
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
71
64–73 |
$68,628/yr | Very High | 19.4x |
| 37 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Spalding University · Louisville, KY |
71
70–71 |
$65,552/yr | High | 5.6x |
| 38 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY |
71
65–72 |
$48,863/yr | Very High | 12.7x |
| 39 |
Computer Engineering
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
70
63–71 |
$79,620/yr | Very High | 14.1x |
| 40 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
70
68–72 |
$68,448/yr | Very High | 15.6x |
| 41 |
Business/Commerce, General
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY |
70
65–70 |
$49,431/yr | High | 12.0x |
| 42 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
70
64–71 |
$68,351/yr | Very High | 12.3x |
| 43 |
Management Information Systems and Services
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
70
64–72 |
$67,159/yr | Very High | 17.4x |
| 44 |
Business/Commerce, General
Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY |
70
66–71 |
$48,654/yr | High | 14.0x |
| 45 |
Mechanical Engineering
Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY |
70
67–71 |
$70,722/yr | Very High | 15.9x |
| 46 |
Finance and Financial Management Services
Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY |
70
69–71 |
$44,355/yr | Very High | 13.6x |
| 47 |
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration
Bellarmine University · Louisville, KY |
69
67–69 |
$70,544/yr | High | 3.1x |
| 48 |
Teacher Education
University of Louisville · Louisville, KY |
69
69–70 |
$56,188/yr | High | 10.1x |
| 49 |
Business/Commerce, General
University of the Cumberlands · Williamsburg, KY |
68
64–69 |
$46,242/yr | High | 14.3x |
| 50 |
Fire Protection
Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY |
68
62–69 |
$66,617/yr | Moderate | 17.5x |
Methodology
This ranking includes the top 100 programs at Kentucky colleges and universities, drawn from 365 total programs with earnings data. Programs are ranked by DegreeWorth Score (0–100), which combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and tuition ROI.
Only in-state tuition is used for ROI calculations. Earnings data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best college program in Kentucky?
By DegreeWorth Score, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Eastern Kentucky University ranks #1 in Kentucky with a score of 84/100 and graduate earnings of $68,633/yr.
How many college programs are in Kentucky?
Our database includes 365 programs across Kentucky colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034
(employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE.
Last updated 2025.