Ranking

Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Colleges in Kentucky 2026

Northern Kentucky University leads this ROI ranking with a A value grade and a 15.33 ROI score. EduGradify ranks 20 colleges here by earnings against net price.

20 Kentucky colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, ranked by EduGradify value grade.

Schools ranked: 20
Cheapest net price: $8,040
Top earnings 10y: $66,240
Public / Private: 8 / 12

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public

ROI score: 15.33
Net price: $8,191
Earnings 10y: $50,220
Acceptance: 67.7%

Brescia University

Owensboro, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 13.06
Net price: $8,709
Earnings 10y: $45,500
Acceptance: 35.2%

Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public

ROI score: 12.30
Net price: $9,096
Earnings 10y: $44,737
Acceptance: 85.7%

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, KY · Public

ROI score: 11.31
Net price: $8,040
Earnings 10y: $36,382
Acceptance: 96.1%

Morehead State University

Morehead, KY · Public

ROI score: 11.03
Net price: $9,793
Earnings 10y: $43,197
Acceptance: 77.2%

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public

ROI score: 10.37
Net price: $11,040
Earnings 10y: $45,795
Acceptance: 77.6%

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public

ROI score: 9.98
Net price: $10,990
Earnings 10y: $43,889
Acceptance: 93.9%

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 7.98
Net price: $14,107
Earnings 10y: $45,036
Acceptance: 98.8%

Centre College

Danville, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 7.97
Net price: $20,781
Earnings 10y: $66,240
Acceptance: 54.4%

#10

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public

ROI score: 7.83
Net price: $18,851
Earnings 10y: $59,025
Acceptance: 92.9%

#11

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY · Public

ROI score: 7.49
Net price: $17,988
Earnings 10y: $53,899
Acceptance: 79.4%

#12

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 7.22
Net price: $21,499
Earnings 10y: $62,069
Acceptance: 86.1%

#13

Lindsey Wilson University

Columbia, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.82
Net price: $15,070
Earnings 10y: $41,129
Acceptance: Open / not reported

#14

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Owensboro, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.82
Net price: $17,131
Earnings 10y: $46,747
Acceptance: 71.6%

#15

Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.80
Net price: $21,835
Earnings 10y: $59,384
Acceptance: 90.4%

#16

Transylvania University

Lexington, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 6.24
Net price: $21,913
Earnings 10y: $54,705
Acceptance: 86.6%

#17

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 5.37
Net price: $19,341
Earnings 10y: $41,583
Acceptance: 79.7%

#18

Asbury University

Wilmore, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 4.95
Net price: $21,401
Earnings 10y: $42,368
Acceptance: 63.4%

#19

Union Commonwealth University

Barbourville, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 4.93
Net price: $21,311
Earnings 10y: $42,002
Acceptance: 63.2%

#20

Spalding University

Louisville, KY · Private Non-Profit

ROI score: 4.85
Net price: $25,491
Earnings 10y: $49,438
Acceptance: 99.5%

How we picked this list

This list starts with Kentucky schools with positive Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program-share evidence, then sorts by EduGradify's school-wide ROI proxy: ten-year median earnings weighed against average net price. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 8.43 (8 public, 12 private).

Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.

FAQ

Who leads this ranking?

Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY tops this ranking. EduGradify value grade is A.

How does EduGradify pick this list?

We rank this set by roi score using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.

How many Kentucky colleges are in this list?

20 Kentucky colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.

What does net price mean here?

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.

Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?

Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.