2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Kentucky
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Kentucky? This list ranks 88 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 20 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
University Of The Cumberlands tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Graduate Degrees degree schools in Kentucky. University Of The Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Williamsburg, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,868. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,036. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%. Read the full report on University Of The Cumberlands
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kentucky Christian University earned it the #2 place in Kentucky. Set in Grayson, KY, Kentucky Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,300. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,375. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Kentucky Christian University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgetown College earned it the #3 place in Kentucky. Georgetown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Georgetown, KY. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,938. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,074 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Georgetown College has an acceptance rate of 91%. See the full Georgetown College profile
Out of the 20 schools in Kentucky in this year's value ranking, Asbury University landed the #4 spot. Based in Wilmore, KY, Asbury University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,104. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 63% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Asbury University
You'll get strong value at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Highland Heights, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,220 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. About 68% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Northern Kentucky University
Lindsey Wilson College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Lindsey Wilson College is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, KY. Students from in state pay about $27,808 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,119. Lindsey Wilson College alumni report median earnings of $41,129 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Lindsey Wilson College
Spalding University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Spalding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Louisville, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $29,000. Graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,438. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Spalding University
Union College Kentucky came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Barbourville, KY, Union College Kentucky is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,002. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt. Union College Kentucky admits about 63% of applicants. More on Union College Kentucky
Thomas More College placed #8 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Based in Crestview Hills, KY, Thomas More College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,608 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,384. That is a strong return on a $31,608 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Thomas More College report
Eastern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Set in Richmond, KY, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Eastern Kentucky University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,122 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,795 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read more about Eastern Kentucky University
Midway College landed the #11 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Based in Midway, KY, Midway College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,110. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,723. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,246 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%. Read more about Midway College
Bellarmine University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Louisville, KY, Bellarmine University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,770. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,766. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,069. Set against $26,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bellarmine University has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full Bellarmine University profile
Murray State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Murray State University is a public school based in Murray, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on Murray State University
Kentucky State University landed the #14 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Kentucky State University is a public school based in Frankfort, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $29,774. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kentucky State University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read the full report on Kentucky State University
University Of Kentucky ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. University Of Kentucky Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. University Of Kentucky alumni report median earnings of $59,025 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read more about University Of Kentucky
University Of Louisville offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,899 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Louisville
Campbellsville University landed the #17 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Located in Campbellsville, KY, Campbellsville University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,148. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,583. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. More on Campbellsville University
Western Kentucky University landed the #18 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Based in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Western Kentucky University alumni report median earnings of $43,889 a decade after entry. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Western Kentucky University
Sullivan University landed the #19 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Based in Louisville, KY, Sullivan University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Sullivan University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,394 in debt. Sullivan University alumni report median earnings of $38,008 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Sullivan University
Morehead State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Morehead, KY, Morehead State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,197. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%. Get the full Morehead State University report
Ashland Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. See the full Ashland Community And Technical College profile
West Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #22 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Get the full West Kentucky Community And Technical College report
Lexington Theological Seminary landed the #23 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read the full report on Lexington Theological Seminary
Brighton Centers Center For Employment Training came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Brighton Centers Center For Employment Training
Empire Beauty School Elizabethtown placed #25 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Get the full Empire Beauty School Elizabethtown report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Kentucky
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Paul Mitchell The School Louisville came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. See the full Paul Mitchell The School Louisville profile
Berea College
Berea College landed the #27 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read the full report on Berea College
Galen Health Institutes Pikeville placed #28 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. More on Galen Health Institutes Pikeville
Berea Beauty Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Berea Beauty Academy
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Elizabethtown Community And Technical College report
South Eastern Beauty Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on South Eastern Beauty Academy
Empire Beauty School Chenoweth placed #32 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. More on Empire Beauty School Chenoweth
Employment Solutions College For Technical Education placed #33 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Read the full report on Employment Solutions College For Technical Education
Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #34 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read more about Hazard Community And Technical College
National College Lexington came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about National College Lexington
Brown Mackie College Hopkinsville came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. More on Brown Mackie College Hopkinsville
Ross Medical Education Center Erlanger ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Ross Medical Education Center Erlanger
Asbury Theological Seminary placed #38 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. See the full Asbury Theological Seminary profile
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Clear Creek Baptist Bible College report
Brescia University placed #40 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Read more about Brescia University
Galen College Of Nursing Louisville landed the #41 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read the full report on Galen College Of Nursing Louisville
Ideal Beauty Academy Louisville placed #42 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Get the full Ideal Beauty Academy Louisville report
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary report
Beckfield College Florence placed #44 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. See the full Beckfield College Florence profile
Paul Mitchell The School Lexington came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School Lexington
American College Of Barbering offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on American College Of Barbering
Alice Lloyd College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Alice Lloyd College
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #48 spot for value in Kentucky this year. See the full Hopkinsville Community College profile
Lindsey Institute Of Cosmetology landed the #49 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read more about Lindsey Institute Of Cosmetology
Madisonville Community College placed #50 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kentucky. Read more about Madisonville Community College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 88 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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