Online and On-Campus Colleges in KENTUCKY

With a population of around 30,000 students, the University of Kentucky is the largest institution of higher learning in the state. Since its establishment as an agricultural and mechanical college in 1865, UK has grown into a full-service university comprising 16 colleges and professional schools.

The UK athletic teams, known as the Wildcats, are a big part of campus culture at UK. Men's and women's teams exist in basketball, golf, swimming, tennis, rifle shooting and more, and celebrated athletes like John Wall of the NBA's Washington Wizards count themselves among Wildcat alumni.

UK is located in the city of Lexington, home to Kentucky's second-largest urban area and a wide range of things to do when you're not studying. The city features art galleries, historic architecture, fine regional and global cuisine and more than a dozen local breweries.

The University of Louisville is a large university in northern Kentucky, near the border with Indiana on the banks of Ohio River. Its catalog of more than 200 graduate and undergraduate study plans reflects the sort of variety that's usually expected from campuses that serve 20,000+ students.

U of L has three campus locations in the Louisville area. The Belknap campus south of downtown serves as the school's main hub, while the Health Sciences Center covers health care and medical fields and the ShelbyHurst campus focuses on business and tech.

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, so give this one extra consideration if you're looking for Kentucky universities with a metropolitan feel. It's also one of the top schools in Kentucky for online degrees, featuring more than 30 bachelor's, master's and certificate programs for those who prefer online courses.

Founded in 1922, Murray State University is a medium-sized school with big opportunities for students hoping to secure some financial assistance to help them through school. More than 90 percent of full-time, first-year students received some form of financial aid in the fall semester of 2016.

Students at MSU tend to follow their own path, according to enrollment figures. It was similar to other Kentucky colleges in terms of high enrollment in popular degree plans like education, business administration and psychology, but less common majors like animal health technology, occupational safety and agriculture also ranked among the top 10 programs here.

Online programs at MSU are diverse as well. Degrees in integrated studies, library media, telecommunications systems management and human development and leadership share catalog space with nursing and business degree programs.

Northern Kentucky University may be one of the younger four-year schools in the state, founded in 1968 and awarded university status in 1976, but it's established itself as a formidable institution among Kentucky universities. The suburban campus, located seven miles southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio, serves around 14,500 students and features more than 90 undergraduate degree programs.

The Highland Heights institution may be one of the top colleges and universities in Kentucky for students who are passionate about sustainability. Not only does NKU hold a week of sustainability events between Earth Day and Arbor Day, but the campus features a community garden and a bike share program.

Along with its institutional accreditation, NKU features numerous programs accredited by discipline-specific organizations. For example, more than 10 of its education degrees are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

First established as a teacher training academy in 1906, Western Kentucky University now offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs from its six academic colleges. It's also one of the larger Kentucky universities, with a student body over 20,000.

The size of its distance education catalog alone places this Bowling Green institution among the best schools in Kentucky for online degree programs. Degrees in subjects such as sociology, health care administration and interdisciplinary studies can be earned online from the first course to the last, while a range of 2+2 programs require an associate degree from a Kentucky community or technical college.

The city of Bowling Green itself is a draw for potential students. The area consistently ranks among the most livable small cities in the country, thanks in part to its low crime and high affordability.

Online courses and degrees are important to the mission at Eastern Kentucky University, where more than 20 percent of enrolled students are using the virtual classroom to work toward their degrees. Numerous fully online degrees and certificates are available here, including a catalog of criminal justice programs that includes police studies, juvenile justice, homeland security and policy and leadership.

Unlike some other top online colleges in Kentucky, EKU offers distance education programs at all academic levels. Associate degrees for paramedics, paralegals and police officers are available alongside doctorates in nursing and occupational therapy.

EKU also earned a rare distinction that makes evident its commitment to military veterans pursuing their degrees at Kentucky colleges. Military Times ranks EKU among the top 20 four-year schools on its nationwide list of "Best for Vets" institutions.

Named for 16th-century cleric and teacher Saint Robert Bellarmine, this small, private school in Louisville identifies strongly with its Roman Catholic heritage. Since its founding in 1950, Bellarmine University has endeavored to offer a liberal arts and professional studies curriculum from an open-minded perspective.

Total enrollment at Bellarmine came in under 4,000 in 2017, which typically makes for a close-knit academic environment. The student-faculty ratio here is 12:1, which is around 25 percent better than the national average and tends to provide professors with time to help students individually if they need it.

Its long affiliation with renowned Catholic poet, writer and philosopher Thomas Merton helped shape the academic culture at Bellarmine. Advocacy for peace, social justice, sustainability and awareness of the interconnectedness of all life -- issues long championed by Merton -- lies at the core of the mission here.

Asbury University is one of the smallest Kentucky colleges, recording a total undergraduate enrollment of fewer than 1,300 students in the 2017-18 academic year. The institution takes its name from Bishop Francis Asbury, the founder of American Methodism and organizer of one of the earliest religious schools in Kentucky.

Degree programs at Asbury are delivered from a Christian-centered perspective, including Biblical studies, theology and chapel attendance requirements in the core curriculum. The degree catalog shows nearly 140 study tracks and includes secular as well as religious subjects of study.

Students who prefer a small-town atmosphere are likely to find what they're looking for in Wilmore, the town where Asbury University is located. Wilmore is home to around 6,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census, and several regional festivals take place throughout the year.

More than 120 undergraduate study plans, 60 graduate degrees and 14 pre-professional programs are available at Morehead State University. The history here goes back a century and more, beginning with its founding as Morehead Normal School in 1887 and moving through half a dozen name changes before becoming the comprehensive university it is today.

Nearly 11,000 students are enrolled at MSU, but students aren't likely to feel like an anonymous face in a crowded classroom. The average class size at the Morehead institution is just 18 students, which can be a big plus if you like a more intimate academic environment.

The city of Morehead is another example of a cozy municipality that houses one of the best colleges and universities in Kentucky. The U.S. Census estimates that fewer than 7,800 permanent residents live within the city limits.

Berea College stands out from the crowd in more ways than one. It doesn't charge tuition to its students, for starters -- every admitted student at Berea receives the institution's Tuition Promise Scholarship, which combines with any of your other state, federal or private student aid awards to cover 100 percent of tuition costs.

The degree catalog at Berea contains just 32 majors that lead to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees, but that doesn't mean your options are especially limited here. Students may also design their own academic path by electing an independent major and working with advisors to get on track to graduation.

Berea boasts other rare distinctions as well. It was the first racially integrated and co-educational institution in the South, and it's one of just nine federally recognized Work Colleges in the U.S.