Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Kentucky

Kentucky has 20 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,497 recent graduates. Graduates in Kentucky earn $59,109 on average within two years — 8% below the national average of $63,931. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

Schools in KY

$59,109

KY Avg. Earnings

$63,931

National Avg.

1043

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Kentucky

Public Schools (8)

$57,594

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (9)

$59,638

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,044 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Kentucky, Ranked by Earnings

Kentucky Christian University

Grayson, KY · Private

$62,579

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,070

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 62.4%

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, KY · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,893

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 71.4%

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

Louisville, KY ·

$63,749

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,568

Graduates: 331

Acceptance: N/A

Union Commonwealth University

Barbourville, KY · Private

$56,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,226

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 55.0%

Morehead State University

Morehead, KY · Public

$59,919

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,164

Graduates: 100

Acceptance: 82.1%

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public

$57,318

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,745

Graduates: 323

Acceptance: 78.1%

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY · Private

$60,088

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,907

Graduates: 210

Acceptance: 93.6%

Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY · Private

$55,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,031

Graduates: 67

Acceptance: 97.0%

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public

$57,125

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,034

Graduates: 264

Acceptance: 92.4%

#10

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, KY · Private

$54,035

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,449

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 98.3%

#11

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY · Public

$58,264

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,080

Graduates: 309

Acceptance: 80.5%

#12

Spalding University

Louisville, KY · Private

$59,967

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,254

Graduates: 116

Acceptance: 98.6%

#13

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public

$55,301

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,585

Graduates: 218

Acceptance: 96.0%

#14

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public

$56,281

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,172

Graduates: 232

Acceptance: 97.0%

#15

Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public

$58,142

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,148

Graduates: 126

Acceptance: 86.2%

#16

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia, KY ·

$54,359

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,004

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: N/A

#17

Beckfield College-Florence

Florence, KY · For-Profit

Midway University

Midway, KY · Private

Berea College

Berea, KY · Private

$61,814

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,236

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 32.7%

#20

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, KY · Public

$58,402

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,111

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 92.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Kentucky?

Kentucky Christian University ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Kentucky with median graduate earnings of $62,579 within two years of graduation. There are 20 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.

How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in Kentucky?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in Kentucky earn an average of $59,109 within two years of graduation. This is 8% below the national average of $63,931 for this major.

What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in Kentucky?

Berea College is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in Kentucky with an acceptance rate of 32.7%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 82.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $59,638 vs $57,594 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 9 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Kentucky

Chemical Engineering $72,520 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $69,151 Computer Engineering $68,919 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians $62,369 Engineering-Related Fields $60,534 Construction Management $60,162 Civil Engineering $54,783 Computer Science $53,775

All colleges in Kentucky →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.