Kentucky schools have made online learning a priority in post-secondary education since 1997. Today, over half of the 117 colleges and universities in Kentucky offer online coursework. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education's Kentucky Virtual Campus (KYVC) is fully focused on improving distance learning programs through a designated network of dozens of degree-granting institutions across the state. Through KYVC alone, students can choose from 40 fully online degree and certificate programs offered by eight state universities and sixteen community and technical colleges.
Despite the state's emphasis on flexible learning, Kentucky's ten-year college enrollment growth rate is slightly behind the national average. To encourage enrollment, the state legislature has worked to keep tuition rates competitive at both public and private colleges. Between 2006 and 2011, the cost of attending college in Kentucky remained lower than the national average. But figures from the 2014-15 academic year indicate that rising costs have now caught up to Kentucky. Since 2009, tuition rates jumped by 17% to just above $9,000. Average state funding for students in Kentucky during the 2013-14 school year was still above the national average however, at $7,130 per learner.
Explore Kentucky's distance education options with the search tool below. You'll find figures like average test scores, total enrollment and graduation rates in Kentucky under the state facts and higher education tabs below.
Featured Online Programs
58 Colleges in Kentucky
Additional Resources
Official State Links
- Kentucky Department of Education
- Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
- Kentucky Education Association
College Savings
- Kentucky Affordable Prepaid Tuition: This program allows state residents to pre-pay college tuition for a designated student at any college in the state, including community and technical colleges and public and private four-year universities. The packages come at three levels: Value, Standard and Premium. Each prepaid plan offers state and federally tax exempt earnings on funds invested.
- Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust: This is Kentucky's official 529 college saving plan, which is administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority with TIAA-CREF serving as the plan manager. Contributions grow on a tax free basis so long as the proceeds are used to pay for college tuition and expenses.
Education Nonprofits
- Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Association: The purpose of KHEAA is to improve student access to higher education. Since its inception in 1966 the association has provided financial aid and other resources to enable state residents to further their education.
- KnowHow2GoKy: Started through the Kentucky's Council on Postsecondary Education, this program works to encourage more of the state's population to enroll in college. Programming is primarily targeted at middle and high school aged students and their parents.
Higher Education News
- Kentucky Education News: Produced by the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com, this site covers education news and views with a focus on issues that affect Eastern and Central Kentucky.
- Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Association Newsroom: Distributing news and press releases issued by and about the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.