Kentucky Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
This guide to teacher preparation programs in Kentucky provides key information for those pursuing a teaching degree in the state. Kentucky has a wide range of colleges and universities that offer state-approved programs to prepare future educators. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved programs along with curated lists of top-ranked and affordable options to support your search.
Table of Contents
- KY Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 12 Affordable KY Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Kentucky Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Kentucky Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 26 Kentucky teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Kentucky traditional certification guide and our Kentucky alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Lloyd College | No | 37 | 5 | 93% | — | — | — | $15,196 |
| Asbury University | Yes | 96 | 25 | 88% | 77 | 23 | 100% | $23,086 |
| Bellarmine University | Yes | 103 | 34 | 100% | 20 | 12 | 100% | $24,425 |
| Berea College | Yes | 51 | 16 | 88% | — | — | — | $4,938 |
| Boyce College | Yes | 47 | 12 | 100% | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Brescia University | Yes | 31 | 12 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $27,314 |
| Campbellsville University | No | 266 | 47 | 93% | 249 | 90 | 92% | $14,464 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Yes | 417 | 135 | 95% | 70 | 21 | 95% | $19,321 |
| Georgetown College | Yes | 101 | 15 | 100% | 165 | 48 | 100% | $14,151 |
| Kentucky Christian University | Yes | 25 | 10 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,056 |
| Kentucky State University | No | 32 | 12 | N.Av. | 23 | 6 | N.Av. | $20,608 |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | Yes | 42 | 18 | 83% | — | — | — | $7,254 |
| Lindsey Wilson College | No | 99 | 30 | 100% | — | — | — | $19,348 |
| Midway University | Yes | 65 | 9 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $14,647 |
| Morehead State University | No | 246 | 117 | 90% | 96 | 31 | 100% | $24,781 |
| Murray State University | Yes | 482 | 177 | 96% | 134 | 35 | 97% | $12,498 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Yes | 279 | 121 | 95% | 370 | 104 | 100% | $11,628 |
| Spalding University | Yes | 19 | 10 | N.Av. | 59 | 25 | 100% | $9,664 |
| Thomas More College | Yes | 40 | 20 | 100% | 42 | 21 | 100% | $23,003 |
| Transylvania University | Yes | 26 | 5 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $20,868 |
| Union College | No | 16 | 3 | 100% | — | — | — | $26,054 |
| University of Kentucky | Yes | 442 | 180 | 96% | — | — | — | $18,027 |
| University of Louisville | No | 228 | 89 | 92% | 174 | 65 | 91% | $19,831 |
| University of Pikeville | Yes | 41 | 20 | 100% | 2 | 2 | N.Av. | $17,894 |
| University of the Cumberlands | No | 2281 | 259 | 94% | 2380 | 590 | 92% | $13,797 |
| Western Kentucky University | Yes | 766 | 236 | 95% | 237 | 48 | 96% | $13,764 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Kentucky
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 12 most affordable schools have a net price under $18,000.
- Berea College ($4,938)
- Kentucky Wesleyan College ($7,254)
- Spalding University ($9,664)
- Northern Kentucky University ($11,628)
- Murray State University ($12,498)
- Western Kentucky University ($13,764)
- University of the Cumberlands ($13,797)
- Georgetown College ($14,151)
- Campbellsville University ($14,464)
- Midway University ($14,647)
- Alice Lloyd College ($15,196)
- University of Pikeville ($17,894)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Kentucky
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Kentucky
Our list of the top nine bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Bellarmine University (100%)
- Boyce College (100%)
- Georgetown College (100%)
- Lindsey Wilson College (100%)
- Thomas More College (100%)
- Union College (100%)
- University of Pikeville (100%)
- Murray State University (96%)
- University of Kentucky (96%)2
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- University of Kentucky (#54 tie)
- University of Louisville (#61 tie)
- Western Kentucky University (#132 tie)
- Bellarmine University (#179 tie)
- Morehead State University (#206)
- University of the Cumberlands (#234-258)4
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 11 Kentucky schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Big Sandy Community and Technical College
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College
- Campbellsville University*
- Eastern Kentucky University*
- Gateway Community and Technical College
- Jefferson Community and Technical College
- Kentucky Christian University*
- Murray State University*
- Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
- Union College*
- Western Kentucky University*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings