25 Best Universities In Kentucky For International Students 2025

Kentucky is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 27 universities and colleges in Kentucky, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 27 universities in Kentucky, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville are the top-performing schools in Kentucky. This list covers both public and private institutions in Kentucky.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Kentucky. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Kentucky.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Kentucky?

Applying to the universities in Kentucky involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Kentucky to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Kentucky?

Tuition fees at Kentucky’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 USD to 48,100 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 3,780 USD to 33,600 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Kentucky!

As we cover the best universities in Kentucky for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Kentucky for International Students

The University of Kentucky is known for its social sciences, life sciences, and humanities courses. It provides an excellent learning environment where students can maximize their passion and career potential. The university is classified among doctoral universities with extensive research activity.

Founded more than two centuries ago, the University of Louisville is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the US. With over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs offered in 12 schools, the university has three campuses throughout the city of Louisville, along with a campus in Panama City and other centers in Asia that offer master’s degree programs. The university is recognized for its outstanding research projects, which have been responsible for groundbreaking achievements, like completing the first hand transplantation. It has also stood out for its participation in sports, with more than 20 teams that have won multiple national championships.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) provides educational programs in bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, as well as associate degrees and professional certificate programs. It also offers distance learning programs with over 50 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees available online. Moreover, WKU is a recognized institution in the state of Kentucky, it has a good standing position in the national rankings, and some of its online and study programs are highly recognized by the state.

Also known as the EKU, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution that is located in the central part of Kentucky. In addition to on-campus courses, EKU also specializes in online learning, and currently, they offer over 40 undergraduate and graduate classes for people who wanted to delve into distance learning.

Northern Kentucky University is one of the most extensive institutions in the Greater Cincinnati area because of its 16000+ population. Even with such a significant number, the university achieves a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio. More than 90 undergraduate majors and 22 master’s are offered at NKU. It is well-ranked and consistently part of Row America’s Best Colleges Forbes.

In 1922, the state legislature chose Murray as the location of the Kentucky Normal School, now the Murray State University. As a nationally renowned institution, the university provides affordable quality education as well as awards scholarships and financial grants to deserving students of over $115 million each year. Since its inception, the university has grown to expand and build campuses throughout the region, including in Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Paducah.

Berea College was founded by Rev. John G. Fee to advocate for equality and excellence in education for men and women of all races. The college was named after a biblical town whose constituents were open and receptive to the gospel. It is also worth noting that Berea College is the only American College, consistently ranked at the top, that doesn’t charge tuition to its students through their No-Tuition Promise.

Bellarmine University offers a vibrant learning community and is one of the best Catholic universities in the country. It provides lifelong education and helps students succeed through academic excellence and transformative growth. The university is equipped with a pleasing campus and stunning architectural designs, making it popular among international students.

Centre College was named so because it was located at the heart of the Commonwealth. More than 50 undergrad majors and minors are offered at the college, along with pre-professional and dual degree programs. Courses are centered around the liberal arts, making Centre College the top 59th national liberal arts college in the US.

Kentucky State University was established in 1886, granting itself a status for offering African American teachers an avenue for their profession. Considering its history in its preference and assistance to African Americans, a majority of its constituents are also African Americans with around 50 percent of the students and employees being African Americans and the other half being non-African Americans. Much like most colleges and universities in America, Kentucky State University prides itself in providing quality liberal arts education to students from all places. With its establishment more than 100 years, Kentucky State University is one of the most diverse and competitive educational institutions both regionally and globally.

Morehead State University was founded in 1887 initially named Morehead Normal School in 1922, then Morehead State Normal School and Teacher’s College in 1930, and then Morehead State College in 1948, and finally its current name in 1966. It now serves as a public university that offers up to 142 undergraduate and 68 graduate programs to students in and out of America. Its mission engages students in a global level of success, diversity, innovation, and service to the community through their education.  Aside from their promise of quality service and education, they provide affordable and accessible learning opportunities through scholarships and grants funded by their foundation. MSU remains to be an excellent place for schooling.

Founded in 1829, Georgetown College is a private institution that awards bachelor’s degrees in arts and sciences and master’s degrees in education. This Christian university is comprised of diverse students and highly qualified faculty members. Moreover, by aligning its curriculum to its Christian roots, the university provides its students with numerous opportunities for growth, such as expanding network connections, developing their talents, and acquiring necessary skills.

Located in one of the largest cities in Kentucky, Transylvania University is a private institution with a small student body. It offers 48 bachelor’s degrees, along with a few dual-degree and pre-professional programs for those who’d like to obtain a graduate or post-graduate degree. It encourages students to conduct research and gain professional experience through different programs. For example, it has two internship programs that can count as credits for you programs and research projects that can be developed on-campus or abroad.

Lindsey Wilson College is located on a hilltop in  Columbia, Kentucky, and has close proximity to many local attractions, waterfalls, lakes, and caves, making it an excellent venue for several outdoor and recreational activities. The college shows its dedication to each student’s academic, personal, and spiritual development by providing research-based education and facilitating a supportive and caring environment among its students and faculty. Career services programs are also in place to guide students in defining their career goals and identifying the steps they need to take to achieve them. 

Located in Wilmore, Kentucky, Asbury University is a private university for liberal and applied arts. As a Christian university, Asbury believes that academic excellence and spiritual vitality go hand in hand in creating a holistic learning experience for students. The university is widely recognized as a regional leader for higher education in the south for over 10 years. 

Thomas More University is a Benedictine institution established by the group’s sisters. Thus, this institution, initially known as Villa Madonna College, has its values anchored on the Roman Catholic religion. The university offers programs for undergraduate and master’s students. For the undergrad level, a select number of programs are available in an online or accelerated format. As for master’s courses, only three programs are offered: either online or accelerated.

Spalding University was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 1814. The school offers undergraduate and graduate level programs on-campus and online. Certificate and Non-degree programs are also available for taking.  The university also prides itself on having an inclusive community comprised of individuals from various countries, of various races, genders, and age ranges. Their 200 years of education are grounded on religious faith and tradition to provide compassionate, spiritual, and service-oriented education. With 1,596 students currently enrolled, they aim to maintain their prestige and quality learning experience.

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) is a private university in Williamsburg, Kentucky. It was founded in 1888 as Williamsburg Institute by Baptist ministers. UC provides students with a broad liberal arts curriculum that includes Christian teachings. Students at UC are encouraged to put their faith into action through a student-centered community and to think critically in order to grow professionally and intellectually.

Sullivan University is an institution of higher learning committed to providing educational enrichment chances for its students’ intellectual, social, and professional growth. The institution offers a career-focused curriculum through diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The SU faculty, staff, and administration believe that skillful individuals should have the opportunity to seek proper academic training at their chosen institution.

Campbellsville University (CU) has several campuses in Kentucky and other learning centers across the country. Currently, it also offers select degree programs online. Moreover, CU is a Christian institution that has been regionally recognized for its quality of education. It has generated competent and responsible graduates who have found success in their careers.

Brescia University is dedicated to Catholic values, the foundation of its education and training. This religious university was established by sisters from the Order of Saint Ursula as a junior college for women. After the second world war, the institution became coeducational and started offering four-year programs.

The university was named after the Italian city of Brescia. It is where the original Order of Saint Ursula was first established.

The University of Pikeville is one of the top higher educational institutions in Central Appalachia. Established in 1889, UPIKE stays firm in its dedication to preparing students for the future while making intellectual, cultural, and economic possibilities for Appalachia. Keeping its commitment to Christian principles, UPIKE recognizes the infinite value of each person, appreciating a variety of religious expressions.

On its 200-acre campus, Midway University offers its students top-notch undergraduate education. For graduate-level programs, online teaching is conducted. For over 170 years, the school has enabled its mission and vision to foster a responsible, diverse, and creative student community. The 25 athletic teams that compete at the regional level and are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), River States Conference and Mid-South Conference, and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private college founded in 1858, and located in Owensboro, Kentucky. It currently has 21 varsity teams at the NCAA Division II level for both men’s and women’s sections. The school is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has a mission of molding the intellect, spirit, and physical state of the student community. The tradition of the school called the Wesleyan Way is grounded in four core values which are honor, support, integrity, and love.

Alice Lloyd College is a private vocational college located in Kentucky, United States. The university was founded about 100 years ago in 1923 for local education for leaders of Appalachia, and has been a bachelor’s degree recipient since 1980. The university includes 18 major degree programs and eight pre-professional programs, and what’s unusual is that students at the university have to work part-time regardless of their financial situation. University students can work with all the jobs they are given, such as administrative staff, office assistants, teachers, craft manufacturers, residential advisers, and maintenance. College students at the school are obligated to work at least 160 hours per semester through on-campus or outside volunteer work.