Most Selective Colleges in Kentucky
Ranked by acceptance rate (24 colleges with at least 500 undergraduates). Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.
| # | College | Acceptance rate | Net price | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berea College Berea, KY · Private nonprofit | 19% | $6,106 | $43,150 |
| 2 | Brescia University Owensboro, KY · Private nonprofit | 35% | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| 3 | Centre College Danville, KY · Private nonprofit | 54% | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| 4 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit | 56% | — | — |
| 5 | Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY · Private nonprofit | 63% | $21,311 | $42,002 |
| 6 | Asbury University Wilmore, KY · Private nonprofit | 63% | $21,401 | $42,368 |
| 7 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY · Public | 68% | $8,191 | $50,220 |
| 8 | Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY · Private nonprofit | 72% | $17,131 | $46,747 |
| 9 | Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY · Private nonprofit | 75% | $18,600 | $40,573 |
| 10 | Morehead State University Morehead, KY · Public | 77% | $9,793 | $43,197 |
| 11 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY · Public | 78% | $11,040 | $45,795 |
| 12 | University of Louisville Louisville, KY · Public | 79% | $17,988 | $53,899 |
| 13 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY · Private nonprofit | 80% | $19,341 | $41,583 |
| 14 | Murray State University Murray, KY · Public | 86% | $9,096 | $44,737 |
| 15 | Bellarmine University Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit | 86% | $21,499 | $62,069 |
| 16 | Transylvania University Lexington, KY · Private nonprofit | 87% | $21,913 | $54,705 |
| 17 | Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY · Private nonprofit | 90% | $21,835 | $59,384 |
| 18 | Georgetown College Georgetown, KY · Private nonprofit | 91% | $14,095 | $52,074 |
| 19 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY · Public | 93% | $18,851 | $59,025 |
| 20 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY · Public | 94% | $10,990 | $43,889 |
| 21 | Midway University Midway, KY · Private nonprofit | 95% | $29,579 | $44,246 |
| 22 | Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY · Public | 96% | $8,040 | $36,382 |
| 23 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY · Private nonprofit | 99% | $14,107 | $45,036 |
| 24 | Spalding University Louisville, KY · Private nonprofit | 99% | $25,491 | $49,438 |