Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Kentucky by Acceptance Rate 2026
The hardest Kentucky colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 24
- Cheapest net price
- $6,106
- Top earnings 10y
- $66,240
- Public / Private
- 8 / 16
Berea College
A+- Acceptance
- 19.3%
- Net price
- $6,106
- Earnings 10y
- $43,150
- Acceptance
- 19.3%
Brescia University
A- Acceptance
- 35.2%
- Net price
- $8,709
- Earnings 10y
- $45,500
- Acceptance
- 35.2%
Centre College
B- Acceptance
- 54.4%
- Net price
- $20,781
- Earnings 10y
- $66,240
- Acceptance
- 54.4%
Kentucky Christian University
D- Acceptance
- 60.9%
- Net price
- $24,038
- Earnings 10y
- $42,375
- Acceptance
- 60.9%
Union Commonwealth University
D- Acceptance
- 63.2%
- Net price
- $21,311
- Earnings 10y
- $42,002
- Acceptance
- 63.2%
Asbury University
D- Acceptance
- 63.4%
- Net price
- $21,401
- Earnings 10y
- $42,368
- Acceptance
- 63.4%
Northern Kentucky University
A- Acceptance
- 67.7%
- Net price
- $8,191
- Earnings 10y
- $50,220
- Acceptance
- 67.7%
Kentucky Wesleyan College
C- Acceptance
- 71.6%
- Net price
- $17,131
- Earnings 10y
- $46,747
- Acceptance
- 71.6%
Alice Lloyd College
C- Acceptance
- 75.2%
- Net price
- $18,600
- Earnings 10y
- $40,573
- Acceptance
- 75.2%
Morehead State University
A- Acceptance
- 77.2%
- Net price
- $9,793
- Earnings 10y
- $43,197
- Acceptance
- 77.2%
Eastern Kentucky University
B- Acceptance
- 77.6%
- Net price
- $11,040
- Earnings 10y
- $45,795
- Acceptance
- 77.6%
University of Louisville
B- Acceptance
- 79.4%
- Net price
- $17,988
- Earnings 10y
- $53,899
- Acceptance
- 79.4%
Campbellsville University
D- Acceptance
- 79.7%
- Net price
- $19,341
- Earnings 10y
- $41,583
- Acceptance
- 79.7%
Murray State University
A- Acceptance
- 85.7%
- Net price
- $9,096
- Earnings 10y
- $44,737
- Acceptance
- 85.7%
Bellarmine University
C- Acceptance
- 86.1%
- Net price
- $21,499
- Earnings 10y
- $62,069
- Acceptance
- 86.1%
Transylvania University
C- Acceptance
- 86.6%
- Net price
- $21,913
- Earnings 10y
- $54,705
- Acceptance
- 86.6%
Thomas More University
C- Acceptance
- 90.4%
- Net price
- $21,835
- Earnings 10y
- $59,384
- Acceptance
- 90.4%
Georgetown College
B- Acceptance
- 91.1%
- Net price
- $14,095
- Earnings 10y
- $52,074
- Acceptance
- 91.1%
University of Kentucky
B- Acceptance
- 92.9%
- Net price
- $18,851
- Earnings 10y
- $59,025
- Acceptance
- 92.9%
Western Kentucky University
B- Acceptance
- 93.9%
- Net price
- $10,990
- Earnings 10y
- $43,889
- Acceptance
- 93.9%
Midway University
D- Acceptance
- 95.1%
- Net price
- $29,579
- Earnings 10y
- $44,246
- Acceptance
- 95.1%
Kentucky State University
A- Acceptance
- 96.1%
- Net price
- $8,040
- Earnings 10y
- $36,382
- Acceptance
- 96.1%
University of the Cumberlands
B- Acceptance
- 98.8%
- Net price
- $14,107
- Earnings 10y
- $45,036
- Acceptance
- 98.8%
Spalding University
D- Acceptance
- 99.5%
- Net price
- $25,491
- Earnings 10y
- $49,438
- Acceptance
- 99.5%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Kentucky colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 8.43 (8 public, 16 private).
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Berea College in Berea, KY tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 19.3%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance 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?
24 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.