2026 Best Value Healthcare Schools in Kentucky
Looking for the best-value Healthcare degree programs in Kentucky? We have ranked 88 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search reviewed 32 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Healthcare Degree Schools in Kentucky
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Bluegrass Community And Technical College, our #1 best-value Healthcare school in Kentucky. Set in Lexington, KY, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Typical Healthcare student debt is $13,366. Median earnings reach $36,343 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Bluegrass Community And Technical College profile
Out of the 32 schools in Kentucky in this year's value ranking, Jefferson Community And Technical College landed the #2 spot. Located in Louisville, KY, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $13,917. Median earnings reach $38,171 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Jefferson Community And Technical College
A rank of #3 makes Madisonville Community College one of the best values in Kentucky. Based in Madisonville, KY, Madisonville Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,985 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,733. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt. Read the full report on Madisonville Community College
You'll get strong value at Gateway Community And Technical College, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Florence, KY. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. The median Healthcare program debt is $11,611. Gateway Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $36,147 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Gateway Community And Technical College report
A rank of #5 makes West Kentucky Community And Technical College one of the best values in Kentucky. Located in Paducah, KY, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on West Kentucky Community And Technical College
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #6 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Located in Elizabethtown, KY, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $12,245. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,143. Set against $12,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Set in Bowling Green, KY, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,068 to complete their Healthcare program here. Median earnings reach $34,242 ten years out. Set against $12,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College report
Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a public school based in Prestonsburg, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $11,588. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Big Sandy Community And Technical College report
Somerset Community College landed the #9 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Based in Somerset, KY, Somerset Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical Healthcare student debt is $13,722. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,787. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Somerset Community College
Hopkinsville Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Hopkinsville, KY, Hopkinsville Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. The median Healthcare program debt is $13,269. Median earnings reach $36,323 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Hopkinsville Community College profile
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Based in Maysville, KY, Maysville Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Maysville Community And Technical College Healthcare students take on a median of $13,031 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,194 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Maysville Community And Technical College
Henderson Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Based in Henderson, KY, Henderson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. The median Healthcare program debt is $13,528. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,714. Set against $13,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Henderson Community College
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Based in Williamsburg, KY, University Of The Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,875. The median Healthcare program debt is $22,868. Median earnings reach $45,036 ten years out. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Cumberlands has an acceptance rate of 99%. Get the full University Of The Cumberlands report
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Located in Cumberland, KY, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,687 to complete their Healthcare program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,482 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College
Ashland Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Ashland, KY, Ashland Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Ashland Community And Technical College Healthcare students take on a median of $13,485 in debt. Median earnings reach $34,504 ten years out. Set against $13,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Ashland Community And Technical College
Owensboro Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Owensboro, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Owensboro Community And Technical College Healthcare students take on a median of $9,098 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,798 ten years after entry. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Owensboro Community And Technical College
Hazard Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Hazard, KY. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,212 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $29,868. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt. Get the full Hazard Community And Technical College report
Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Highland Heights, KY. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Northern Kentucky University Healthcare students take on a median of $25,572 in debt. Northern Kentucky University alumni report median earnings of $50,220 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%. Read more about Northern Kentucky University
Murray State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Located in Murray, KY, Murray State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Murray State University Healthcare students take on a median of $23,420 in debt. Murray State University alumni report median earnings of $44,737 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Murray State University
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Eastern Kentucky University is a public school based in Richmond, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete their Healthcare program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,795. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. More on Eastern Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Western Kentucky University Healthcare students take on a median of $24,499 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,889 ten years out. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on Western Kentucky University
University Of Kentucky placed #22 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. The median Healthcare program debt is $24,094. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Sullivan University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Sullivan University is a private for-profit school based in Louisville, KY. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Sullivan University Healthcare students take on a median of $28,394 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,008 ten years after entry. Set against $28,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Sullivan University report
University Of Louisville placed #24 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. University Of Louisville Healthcare students take on a median of $21,910 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,899. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Louisville report
Morehead State University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Morehead State University is a public school based in Morehead, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,197. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. Morehead State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read more about Morehead State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Healthcare Degree Schools in Kentucky
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Beckfield College Florence placed #26 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Set in Florence, KY, Beckfield College Florence is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,295. Typical Healthcare student debt is $32,450. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,114. Set against $32,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Beckfield College Florence profile
Spalding University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Spalding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Louisville, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,000. Graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,438 ten years after entry. Set against $29,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%. Read more about Spalding University
Bellarmine University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Louisville, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Bellarmine University profile
Union College Kentucky came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Set in Barbourville, KY, Union College Kentucky is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,946. Typical Healthcare student debt is $27,852. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. More on Union College Kentucky
Midway College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Midway College is a private not-for-profit school based in Midway, KY. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Typical Healthcare student debt is $26,723. Median earnings reach $44,246 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%. Get the full Midway College report
Campbellsville University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Based in Campbellsville, KY, Campbellsville University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,998. Typical Healthcare student debt is $24,148. Campbellsville University alumni report median earnings of $41,583 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Campbellsville University
Galen Health Institutes Pikeville offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Galen Health Institutes Pikeville
Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Whitesburg ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Get the full Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Whitesburg report
Kentucky State University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. More on Kentucky State University
Empire Beauty School Chenoweth placed #35 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Read the full report on Empire Beauty School Chenoweth
Ross Medical Education Center Owensboro placed #36 among the best-value Healthcare schools in Kentucky. Read the full report on Ross Medical Education Center Owensboro
Frontier Nursing University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Read more about Frontier Nursing University
Berea Beauty Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. More on Berea Beauty Academy
Ata College
Ata College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. More on Ata College
Brown Mackie College Hopkinsville ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. Get the full Brown Mackie College Hopkinsville report
National College Lexington came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about National College Lexington
Medical Career And Technical College landed the #42 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read more about Medical Career And Technical College
Paul Mitchell The School Louisville offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Louisville
Lexington Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Lexington Theological Seminary
Kentucky Christian University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Kentucky Christian University report
Summit Salon Academy Lexington landed the #46 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read the full report on Summit Salon Academy Lexington
Regina Webb Academy ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. More on Regina Webb Academy
Kentucky Wesleyan College landed the #48 spot for value in Kentucky this year. See the full Kentucky Wesleyan College profile
Thomas More College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Healthcare schools. See the full Thomas More College profile
Empire Beauty School Dixie landed the #50 spot for value in Kentucky this year. Read more about Empire Beauty School Dixie
More Healthcare Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 32 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 88 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
HealthcareDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© HealthcareDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.