25 Best Colleges in Kentucky

Overview

The University of the Cumberlands is in Williamsburg, Kentucky to serve the Appalachian Mountain region. It was originally founded in 1889 by Baptists as the Williamsburg institute. In 1913, it acquired Highland College and changed its name to Cumberland College. In 2005, the college changed its name to university. Today, the main university campus has about 150 acres in this rural area.

Features

The University of the Cumberlands has about 6,000 students that study over 88 majors, 72 minors, 8 masters, 1 certificate program and 2 doctoral programs. The student population contains 1410 undergraduates, 395 online undergraduates, 718 dual enrolled students, 355 non-degree students and 3151 graduate students. For the on-campus students, there are over 40 different student organizations and athletic events to participate in. In the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 16 to 1.

Business Psychology Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies Biological Biomedical Sciences Social Service Professions

Notables

University of the Cumberlands has built over 147 houses for charity organizations in the Appalachian Mountains. To graduate, students must also have at least 40 hours of volunteer service. There is no specification if it must occur in the Appalachian Mountain region. It is a beautiful campus that enjoys its relationship with the city of Williamsburg.

Overview

In the 1920s, there was a pressing need for more teachers. Kentucky State legislature created senate bill 14 to settle this need. Murray State founder Rainey T. Wells presented a case to the legislature to have Murray, Kentucky be home to one of the new state universities. Murray, Kentucky procured the university site and raised over $117,000 for the school to open in September 1923. Since then, the university has grown to have over 5 regional campuses with 6 distinct departments offering over 245 majors and programs.

Features

At Murray State University, you are one of 9,000 students studying at all levels of education. The main campus has over 250 acres with over 160 student and Greek organizations. They are proud of their NCAA division I athletics as well as their 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Popular majors include:

Animal Health Technology Nursing Agriculture Occupational Safety and Health Business Administration

Notables

During the first weekend of December, the Dickens Alley Festival turns historical downtown of Murry, Kentucky into London, England from the time of Dickens. It is complete with a street fair, home made goods and carolers. Murray State University has hosted the Festival of champions, the oldest marching band festivals in the south since 1976.

Overview

Campbellsville University was originally founded in 1906 by the Kentucky Baptist convention to prepare people for college. In 1949, it became a junior college. In 1963, it earned the right to bestow 4-year degrees. In 1996, it became a university. It was named after the town of Campbellsville, a small town of 11,000 inhabitants. It is located where Kentucky 545 and 210 intersect with US 68, about 40 miles southeast of Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Features

The main campus has about 95 acres and maintains 6 regional sites to prepare Christian Servant Leaders. Between all the locations, they have an undergraduate enrollment of almost 2700 students. The student-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. The popular majors include:

Business Nursing Social Work Youth Services Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Administration Biblical Studies

Notables

There are several nearby attractions and festivals for students visit. You can see the Perryville Battlefield State Historic site or Abraham Lincolns Birthplace National Historic Site. Or you can go to the local Green River Lake and take in the sights there.

Overview

Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, Kentucky, right on the Ohio River about 40 miles east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee and 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded in 1858 by the Methodist Episcopal Church (also known as United Methodist Church). Classes began in 1866 in a town called Millersburg as a training school for preachers. However, after adding several other majors, becoming co-ed, and several locations, the college settled in Owensboro which is Kentuckys 4th largest city.

Features

Today, the college has just under 700 undergraduate students on 55 acres. While it is a United Methodist institution, all faiths are welcome to study one of its 29 majors or 13 pre-professional programs. This smaller organization has a student-faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Outside of the classroom, there is NCAA Division II sports, 40+ student organizations and great Greek life.

Notables

Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Daviess County is home to 94,000 residents. This area was originally settled in 1797 and the city of Owensboro was founded in 1817. It is the area where Lewis and Clark wintered prior to their famous travels and home to the International Bluegrass Museum (a genre of music). You can find this great area where Route 64 and Route 65 meet.

Overview

Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, was founded in 1890 by Reverend John Wesley Hughes. Hughes decided on the city of Wilmore Kentucky because the town was on his preaching circuit and the town could finance the initial aspects of getting started. Asbury is named after Bishop Francis Asbury, the founder of American Methodism. Today it is a multi-denominational institution located 15 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky.

Features

Asbury University has over 1,300 undergrad students learning in 14 academic departments and 54 undergraduate programs. There are also over 500 students pursing seven master degrees and certificates. The average class size is 20 students. Student faculty ratio is 13 to 1. Top majors include:

Media Communication Business Elementary Education Equine Studies Communication

Notables

Asbury University is well known for their faith and character of the campus community and alumni. They have won awards for this from the Templeton Foundation. When on campus, you can walk over 739 acres that includes the 65-acre walking campus and an equine center. The Equine center that includes an indoor riding arena and a ropes challenge course.

Overview

Kentucky State University is a Historical Black College located in Frankfort, Kentucky. In 1886, the school was chartered by the state and the city donated $1,500 and a real estate for the school property. Since the charter in 1886, it has become a Land Grant, liberal arts institution. The institution was originally created to train black teachers to work in the black schools of Kentucky. Today, it has expanded into many different educational pursuits.

Features

Today, there are about 2,200 total students learning on this 916-acre property containing a 311-acre agricultural research farm and a 306-acre environmental educational center. 1,433 are undergraduate students pursuing various degrees and over 77% of classes have less than 20 students. Student-faculty ratio is 11 to 1. Top majors include:

Nursing Business Criminal Justice Psychology Physical Education

Notables

Frankfort, Kentucky, offers tremendous opportunities for students in terms of jobs, culture and shopping. You can visit Daniel Boones Burial Site or learn more about bourbon from the distilleries in the area. Frankfort is has won numerous awards for their bourbon technique. It is a true art.

Overview

Eastern Kentucky University was founded in 1906 in Richmond, Kentucky. The goal was to train teachers for Kentucky schools. The motion was started by the Kentucky general assembly. In 1922, Eastern Kentucky became a 4-year institution with the first bachelor degrees awarded in 1928. In 1966, Eastern Kentucky changed their name to Eastern Kentucky University so that it could award various graduate degrees outside the field of education.

Features

Today, there are over 14,000 undergraduates and 2,400 graduate students that study on either the main campus or one of its 6 satellite campuses in online, undergraduate or graduate programs. Over half of the classes have less than 20 students in the class. So, there is a student faculty ratio of 16 to 1. Top majors include:

Education Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting Health Professions Business Forensic Science

Notables

Eastern Kentucky Universitys main campus in Richmond, Kentucky, is on 675 acres in a suburban environment. There is plenty of activities for students to attend on campus and off. The University has an award-winning Honors Program and Mock Trail Team. Both are recognized as one of the nations best programs for developing the next generation leaders.

Overview

Brescia University was founded in 1925 by the Ursuline Sisters in Maple Mount, Kentucky. It started as a junior college to prepare women for college and to get a college degree. After a while, they set up co-educational extension courses in Owensboro, Kentucky. By 1949, the Sisters merged the Maple Mount campus into Owensboro and moved their administrative offices there. By 1951, the name changed to what it is known as today: Brescia University.

Features

Today, Brescia University serves as the co-ed Catholic university with an undergraduate enrollment of 1043. It is located in the heart of Owensboro on 9 acres. Over 90% of the classes have less than 20 students. The student-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. Popular majors are

Social Work Psychology Audiology Speech-Language Pathologist Business Commerce Liberal Arts Sciences

Notables

Owensboro, Kentucky is the fourth largest city in Kentucky located on the southern banks of the Ohio River. It has the only year-round municipal ice arena in Kentucky. Every summer they have an international Bar-B-Q Festival and call it the Bar-B-Q capital of the world. Owensboro offers a rich array of opportunities to expand your experience at Brescia.

Overview

Western Kentucky University was created to serve a need in the Kentucky community: a lack of teachers. In 1906, the Kentucky General Assembly appointed two locations with teacher training institutions. The site selected in Bowling Green, Kentucky went on to be known as Western Kentucky University. Initial classes started in 1907. By 1922, the site could grant 4-year degrees. After several additional mergers, the school became known as Western Kentucky University.

Features

Western Kentucky University is part of the NCAA Division I athletics. They are also known for their academics. There are six schools within the university that have classes on the main campus and on 3 regional sites. All together there are over 17,595 undergraduates study at this institution. Another 2,600 students are graduate students. Even with the large number of students, Western Kentucky University is able to have a 18 to 1 student faculty ratio and almost half of the classes have less than 20 students. Popular majors include:

Liberal Arts Humanities Nursing Business Administration Elementary Education Biology

Notables

In addition to the various student activities and traditions, there are numerous ghost stories. Some only show up on an anniversary but there are others that are more active and vibrant within the community. When you are on campus, you should ask about it.

Overview

Thomas More College is in the small town of Crestview Hills, Kentucky is near Cincinnati, OH. It was founded in 1921 by the Benedictine sisters as Villa Madonna College to train catholic school teachers and education for young women. In 1929, the first graduating class and the responsibility changed from Benedictine Sisters to the Diocese of Covington. Over time, it became co-educational and directly connected with St. Thomas Moore College. By 1945, the two colleges merged under the name Villa Madonna. In 1968, the college moved to Crestview Hills and the college branding changed to Thomas More College and dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Features

Today, Thomas More College has over 1900 students that are taking traditional, accelerated and online opportunities. They enjoy over 35 student organizations and over 71% of their classes have less than 20 students. Top Majors include:

Business Administration Biology and Biological Sciences Nursing Psychology English Language Literature

Notables

Thomas More College has an impressive graduation and certification rate for the nursing and education students. 100% of graduating nursing students passed the NCLEX exam. 100% of all undergraduate education majors passed the Praxis tests for certifications.

Overview

Northern Kentucky University started in 1946 as a way for students to take extension classes from the University of Kentucky. Because the need was so great, lawmakers in Northern Kentucky lobbied to create Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Just 7 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, the university has expanded in every way including partnering with local community engagement.

Features

Today, Northern Kentucky University serves over 14,000 students. Students can participate in over 100 campus organizations and NCAA sports. There are over 70 undergraduate and over 30 graduate programs to pursue. Popular majors include:

Organizational Behavior Studies Nursing Psychology Business Communications

Notables

Northern Kentucky University has the Haile Digital Planetarium. It is the first laser projection planetarium stystem to be installed on a higher education campus. There are only six other planetariums that have this technology. Even if studying the heavens is not in your educational plan, it would be worth auditing a class or taking a tour at this facility.

Overview

Kentucky Christian University was established in Grayson, Kentucky in 1919 by co-founders J. W. Lusby, J. O. Snodgrass, and R. B. Neal. It is affiliated with Churches of Christ denomination in Eastern Kentucky. When it first opened, it was a high school and junior college. In the 1920s, the high school was phased out. In 1944, the junior college became a 4-year institution. Then in 2004, the college changed its name to Kentucky Christian University.

Features

Today, there are 613 students that attend classes in an average class size of 14 students at this 121-acre campus. These students study over 42 majors and minors. There is high interaction with faculty due to the 12 to 1 student-faculty ratio. Popular majors include:

Biblical Studies Nursing Liberal Arts and Humanities Business Administration

Notables

Several well-known music groups have come out of Kentucky Christian University. One is Audio Adrenaline, a Christian, Alternative rock with some funk and rap influences that started in the mid-1980s. Another musical group is called Bleach, a Christian rock band that started in 1990s that had its music played on various TV shows.

Overview

Morehead State University was founded in 1887 as a church-sponsored school to train teachers in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan County. It is in a city called Morehead, Kentucky, located halfway between Lexington, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia.

Features

Today, Morehead State has over 10,600 students studying at the undergraduate and graduate levels at the main campus and four regional centers. There are 140 undergraduate degrees and 70 graduate programs to study. Students also enjoy an average class size of 19 students with a student-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. There are over 100+ student organizations to join, including Greek Life and NCAA Division 1 Sports. Popular majors include:

Nursing Social work Business Sociology Radiation Therapy

Notables

Morehead State University is ranked the safest in the nation. It is located in a rural area with over 1187-acres. 30 of those acres include Eagle Lake and hiking trails. The student Recreation and Wellness center has all sorts of activities to energize the body: ropes course, fitness areas, swimming pool, etc.

Overview

The University of Pikeville opened in 1889 as an outreach of the Presbyterian Church for primary and secondary education in Pikeville, PA. In 1909, the State of Kentucky allowed them to start offering 2-year degrees. In 1961, it became a 4-year institution. In 2010, it became a tobacco free campus. In 2011, it is rebranded as the University of Pikeville.

Features

Today, the University of Pikeville has 1150 undergraduate students and over 750 graduate students. On the rural campus of 25 acres, students will find that over 50% of their classes have less than 20 students and strong connection with the faculty with a 15 to 1 student-faculty ratio. Popular majors include:

Business Administration Biology Nursing Communications Psychology

Notables

The University is home to the Kentucky college of Osteopathic Medicine. It is one of three medical schools in the state of Kentucky.

Overview

Midway University was originally created to be the Kentucky Female Orphan School in Midway, Kentucky. The founders were Dr. Lewis Letig Pinkerton and James Ware Parrish who were affiliated with the Disciples of Christ Church who were looking to educate the orphans so that they could have a better life. The school has gone through several different names over the years. Yet, it remained the only womens college in Kentucky. However, the last name change prompted a fundamental change within the organization. As of Fall 2016, Midway University is now a co-ed institution.

Features

Midway University has one main campus and one off campus site. Between the two sites, there are 1194 undergraduates and over 400 graduate students studying on 200 acres. There are over 30 areas for students to choose. However, the more popular majors include:

Business Equine Studies Nursing Healthcare Education

Notables

Midway, Kentucky is a rural town of 3,000 people. However, it has been the center of history several times. It houses the worlds top Thoroughbred farms and bourbon distillery. But those are just some of the unique things about the area. It is also the center of a church doctrine discord and split a congregation forever. The disagreement was over a melodeon which is an early piano.