Kentucky has more than a dozen colleges producing BSN graduates, with two major research universities and several strong regional universities. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine being accepted by both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Both are large public universities with academic medical centres. The numbers below, along with costs and early earnings, can help you decide.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Kentucky that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Kentucky nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky | Lexington | Public | 72% | 339 | $80,628 | $13,907 |
| 2 | Bellarmine University | Louisville | Private nonprofit | 68% | 130 | $80,730 | $50,490 |
| 3 | University of Louisville | Louisville | Public | 61% | 293 | $75,155 | $13,390 |
| 4 | Murray State University | Murray | Public | 61% | 104 | $72,281 | $10,320 |
| 5 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | Public | 56% | 146 | $73,223 | $12,072 |
| 6 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | Public | 53% | 239 | $80,553 | $11,496 |
| 7 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Public | 50% | 101 | $77,058 | $10,740 |
| 8 | Morehead State University | Morehead | Public | 50% | 52 | $76,775 | $10,444 |
| 9 | University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg | Private nonprofit | 50% | 88 | $80,606 | $9,875 |
| 10 | Spalding University | Louisville | Private nonprofit | 49% | 49 | $77,405 | $30,450 |
| 11 | Thomas More University | Crestview Hills | Private nonprofit | 44% | 26 | $74,496 | $41,400 |
| 12 | Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville | Private nonprofit | 36% | 29 | $73,559 | $31,809 |
| 13 | Kentucky State University | Frankfort | Public | 31% | 20 | n/a | $9,807 |
Also offering a BSN in Kentucky (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | Louisville | Private for-profit | 55% | 1207 | $78,918 | n/a |
| Beckfield College-Florence | Florence | Private for-profit | 28% | 37 | $78,814 | $13,295 |
Top Kentucky nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing in Lexington is linked to UK HealthCare, one of the largest academic health systems in the region, and tops our Kentucky list.
- Graduation rate: 72%, number 1 in Kentucky on our list
- Programme size: about 339 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, one of the largest in the state
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $80,628 one year after graduating
- Cost: $13,907 in-state tuition ($35,164 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 93%
2. Bellarmine University
Bellarmine University in Louisville is a private Catholic university with a large, well-established nursing programme.
- Graduation rate: 68%, number 2 in Kentucky on our list
- Programme size: about 130 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $80,730 one year after graduating
- Cost: $50,490 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 86%
3. University of Louisville
The University of Louisville School of Nursing trains nurses at the university’s academic medical centre in downtown Louisville.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 3 in Kentucky on our list
- Programme size: about 293 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, one of the largest in the state
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,155 one year after graduating
- Cost: $13,390 in-state tuition ($29,736 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 79%
4. Murray State University
Murray State University in western Kentucky is a regional public university with a respected nursing programme at low tuition.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 4 in Kentucky on our list
- Programme size: about 104 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $72,281 one year after graduating
- Cost: $10,320 in-state tuition ($20,676 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 86%
5. Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green offers a public BSN with clinical placements across south-central Kentucky.
- Graduation rate: 56%, number 5 in Kentucky on our list
- Programme size: about 146 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $73,223 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,072 in-state tuition ($27,000 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 94%
Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University also produce large numbers of BSN graduates each year.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Kentucky
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Kentucky is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Kentucky offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 15 colleges in Kentucky produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 2,860 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Kentucky nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Kentucky has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 72%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Kentucky?
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 1207 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Kentucky?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $72,281 to $80,730, with a typical (median) figure of about $77,232. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Kentucky?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $9,807 to $13,907 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Kentucky Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Kentucky Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Kentucky Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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