2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Kentucky to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for healthcare students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bluegrass Community and Technical College to be the best value school for healthcare students who want to pursue a associate degree in Kentucky. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 228 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,320 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,015 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Bluegrass Community and Technical College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Kentucky.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Madisonville Community College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. This small public school is located in Madisonville, Kentucky, and it awarded 150 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madisonville Community College are $15,240 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,192 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Madisonville Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Gateway Community and Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Gateway Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Florence, Kentucky that handed out 147 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Gateway undergraduate students pay an average of $15,320 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,591 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Gateway does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Jefferson Community and Technical College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 252 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Jefferson Community and Technical College are $15,320 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,839 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Jefferson Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Henderson Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Henderson Community College is a small public school located in Henderson, Kentucky that handed out 59 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Henderson Community College are $15,240 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,894 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Henderson Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 71 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Hopkinsville Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,125 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Hopkinsville Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 59 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,810 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 83 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
SKYCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,042 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that SKYCTC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #9, Somerset Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. SCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Somerset, Kentucky. It awarded 177 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SCC are $15,240 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,345 in loans while pursuing their degree.
SCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Owensboro Community and Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Owensboro Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Owensboro, Kentucky. It awarded 84 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Owensboro Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,240 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,529 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Owensboro Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 59 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Big Sandy Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,652 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Paducah, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 166 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College are $15,240 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,306 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Ashland Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. ACTC is a public institution located in Ashland, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 89 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ACTC are $15,240 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,652 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ACTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Hazard Community and Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Hazard, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 86 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hazard Community and Technical College are $15,240 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,069 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Hazard Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Southeast is located in Cumberland, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast are $15,240 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,824 in student loans.
Southeast does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Full Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Maysville Community and Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Maysville, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Maysville Community and Technical College are $15,240 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,277 in student loans.
Maysville Community and Technical College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Western Kentucky University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Western Kentucky University is a fairly large public school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 104 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WKU are $27,000 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $25,980 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WKU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
WKU did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
University of the Cumberlands landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Williamsburg, Kentucky that handed out 2 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cumberlands are $9,875 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, Cumberlands is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Cumberlands not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Kentucky State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. KY State is a public institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at KY State are $12,870 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $36,097 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
KY State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Sullivan University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Sullivan University is located in Louisville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 151 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sullivan University are $13,500 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,771 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Sullivan University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sullivan University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, the fairly large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Eastern are $20,024 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $24,515 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Eastern, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Morehead State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Located in Morehead, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school awarded 88 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Morehead State University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,106 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,422 in student loans.
Morehead State University does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Beckfield College - Florence came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Beckfield College - Florence is located in Florence, Kentucky and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Beckfield College - Florence are $13,295 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,171 in student loans.
Beckfield College - Florence is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
American National University - Lexington ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. ANU Lexington is a very small private for-profit school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 44 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ANU Lexington are $10,354 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $31,892 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Since ANU Lexington is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
With a ranking of #25, University of Pikeville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. UPIKE is located in Pikeville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 associate degrees to qualified students.
UPIKE undergraduate students pay an average of $22,650 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UPIKE does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UPIKE also is in the top 20% of our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking.
Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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