2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky

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The two-year student loan default rate measures how many graduates from the institution go into default on their student loans with two years of graduation. This is a complicated metric with many factors, but in general colleges and universities with high student loan default rates may indicate that students have trouble finding employment or well-paying jobs after college. This may mean that the institution has a less-established reputation with employers or that it graduates a higher percentage of students with degrees in lower-wage fields of study.

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Rank	Institution	Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year)	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Transylvania University	2.3	86.55	1,180 – 1,380	25634	40447	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Transylvania University Lexington, KY It may come as no surprise, but Transylvania University’s mascot is a bat – and their school color is crimson. Halloween is a big deal at the school, featuring a week-long celebration. It ends with Pumpkinmania, where the steps of a campus building are lined with carved pumpkins....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 2.3 % Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $25,634 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,447
2	Centre College	2.5	55.53	1,240 – 1,430	23780	50073	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Centre College Danville, KY Centre College’s motto is “Doctrina Lux Mentis,” or “Learning is the Light of the Mind.” Offering up to Bachelor's degrees, the school has 26 degree programs, with Economics, Other being the most sought after. Centre also has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 2.5 % Acceptance Rate 55.5% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $23,780 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,073
3	Bellarmine University	3.8	86.11	1,020 – 1,240	24432	49819	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Bellarmine University Louisville, KY Bellarmine University is a private Catholic university providing a liberal arts education. The school has a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 75% first year retention rate, and 65% six year graduation rate. BU is located in the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville right near the Bardstown Road corridor. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 3.8 % Acceptance Rate 86.1% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $24,432 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,819
4	Georgetown College	4.3	91.06	970 – 1,150	14878	40393	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Georgetown College Georgetown, KY Georgetown College dates back to 1829. During the last admissions cycle, it accepted 1,230 applicants, 26% of which enrolled. 100% of students receive grant aid, $41,435 each on average. Student athletes could also receive athletic scholarships. 551 Tigers compete in Football, Baseball, and Soccer, among other sports. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 4.3 % Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $14,878 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,393
5	Thomas More University	5.4	97.03	1,040 – 1,190	21314	47148	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY Located in Crestview Hills, Thomas More University accepts 97% of applicants. They charge $30 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 100% of students at Thomas More University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 5.4 % Acceptance Rate 97.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $21,314 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,148
6	Alice Lloyd College	5.8	85.57	970 – 1,140	18066	35174	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY Based in Pippa Passes, Alice Lloyd College’s acceptance rate is 86%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 82% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 5.8 % Acceptance Rate 85.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $18,066 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,174
7	Asbury University	5.9	95.4	1,030 – 1,290	21375	35563	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Asbury University Wilmore, KY Asbury University is a private Christian university located 20 minutes southwest of Lexington. The school's motto is "Academic Excellence & Spiritual Vitality. Of attending students, 100% receive grant aid — $24,903 on average. Popular majors among students include andGeneral Studies. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 5.9 % Acceptance Rate 95.4% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $21,375 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,563
8	American National University-Pikeville	6.1	0	--	14100	26172	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky American National University-Pikeville Pikeville, KY Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.1 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,100 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,172
9	University of Kentucky	6.1	92.94	1,080 – 1,310	19838	47266	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Based in Lexington, the University of Kentucky’s acceptance rate is 93% and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 89% of students attending the University of Kentucky will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 87% and around 51% of students will graduate in four years or......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.1 % Acceptance Rate 92.9% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $19,838 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,266
10	University of the Cumberlands	6.5	71.39	1,010 – 1,210	11555	39046	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Based in Williamsburg, the University of the Cumberlands’s acceptance rate is 71%. Undergraduates have to send in $30 to apply. About 69% of students at the University of the Cumberlands will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.5 % Acceptance Rate 71.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $11,555 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,046
11	Northern Kentucky University	6.8	83.07	970 – 1,210	8151	42105	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Located in Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University’s acceptance rate is 83%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 94% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.8 % Acceptance Rate 83.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $8,151 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,105
12	Murray State University	7.3	85.68	1,010 – 1,240	9738	38473	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Murray State University Murray, KY Based in Murray, Murray State University’s acceptance rate is 86% and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 95% of students at Murray State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 75%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 7.3 % Acceptance Rate 85.7% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,738 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,473
13	Kentucky Wesleyan College	7.4	67.05	1,010 – 1,210	20867	35895	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY Located in Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College’s acceptance rate is 67%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 95% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Kentucky Wesleyan College, there is a 67% first year retention rate and around 33% of undergraduates will earn a degree......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 7.4 % Acceptance Rate 67.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $20,867 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,895
14	Galen College of Nursing-Louisville	7.6	54.34	630 – 850	0	58951	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Galen College of Nursing-Louisville Louisville, KY Located in Louisville, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville’s acceptance rate is 54% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 16% of students attending Galen College of Nursing-Louisville will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 70%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 7.6 % Acceptance Rate 54.3% SAT Score 630 – 850 Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,951
15	Midway University	7.6	95.14	1,050 – 1,210	24739	40738	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Midway University Midway, KY Found in Midway, Midway University accepts 95% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 98% of students attending Midway University currently receive institutional grant aid. 65% of students continued their studies at Midway University after completing their......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 7.6 % Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,739 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,738
16	Spalding University	8.1	98.64	960 – 1,140	25539	42870	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Spalding University Louisville, KY Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 8.1 % Acceptance Rate 98.6% SAT Score 960 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $25,539 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,870
17	University of Louisville	8.2	79.41	1,020 – 1,280	18808	46571	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky University of Louisville Louisville, KY Found in Louisville, the University of Louisville accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 82% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Louisville, there is a 81% first year retention......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 8.2 % Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,808 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,571
18	Berea College	8.9	19.34	1,150 – 1,320	4379	35676	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Berea College Berea, KY Berea College, founded in 1892, was the first integrated, co-educational college in the South. 100% of students who attend receive grant aid, $51,923 on average. The most popular degree programs are Business Administration and Management, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 8.9 % Acceptance Rate 19.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $4,379 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,676
19	Kentucky Christian University	8.9	62.38	950 – 1,090	22209	39921	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Kentucky Christian University Grayson, KY Based in Grayson, Kentucky Christian University accepted 62% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 73% and its four year......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 8.9 % Acceptance Rate 62.4% SAT Score 950 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $22,209 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,921
20	Eastern Kentucky University	9.1	96.95	930 – 1,180	10852	38611	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Based in Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University’s acceptance rate is 97% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 86% of students at Eastern Kentucky University currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 79%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 9.1 % Acceptance Rate 97.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $10,852 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,611
21	University of Pikeville	9.5	88.08	930 – 1,180	13819	34508	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky University of Pikeville Pikeville, KY Based in Pikeville, the University of Pikeville accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 9.5 % Acceptance Rate 88.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,819 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,508
22	Morehead State University	10	77.21	1,020 – 1,220	10017	37131	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Morehead State University Morehead, KY Located in Morehead, Morehead State University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 75% of students at Morehead State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 65%......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.0 % Acceptance Rate 77.2% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $10,017 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,131
23	Western Kentucky University	10.1	93.87	970 – 1,210	12054	38156	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Located in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University accepts 94% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $50 to apply. Approximately 93% of students attending Western Kentucky University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention rate is 78%......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.1 % Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,054 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,156
24	Brescia University	10.8	35.24	970 – 1,210	15087	39897	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Brescia University Owensboro, KY Brescia University opened in 1925 as the Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women. It got its current moniker in 1998 when they added master’s degree programs on Management and Curriculum and Instruction. A very small school, Brescia accepts around 35% of applicants and students have a cozy student-to-faculty ratio – 8 to 1. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.8 % Acceptance Rate 35.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,087 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,897
25	Campbellsville University	10.8	72.35	930 – 1,180	18777	34639	#25 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY Based in Campbellsville, Campbellsville University’s acceptance rate is 72% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 73% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 61%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.8 % Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $18,777 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,639
26	Union College	10.9	43.74	1,320 – 1,480	19223	36529	#26 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Union College Barbourville, KY Found in Barbourville, Union College’s acceptance rate is 44%. They require $60 for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Union College currently receive grant aid from the school. At Union College, there is a 90% first year retention rate and 28% of students will earn their degree in four years or less....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.9 % Acceptance Rate 43.7% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $19,223 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,529
27	Lindsey Wilson College	12.5	0	930 – 1,140	14422	34861	#27 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, KY Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 12.5 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $14,422 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,861
28	Sullivan University	17	88.06	1,080 – 1,180	22766	34516	#28 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Sullivan University Louisville, KY Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 17.0 % Acceptance Rate 88.1% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,766 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,516
29	Beckfield College-Florence	17.6	79.57	970 – 1,110	26994	34873	#29 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Beckfield College-Florence Florence, KY Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 17.6 % Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $26,994 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,873
30	Kentucky State University	21.8	92.51	810 – 1,040	9672	29640	#30 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Based in Frankfort, Kentucky State University accepts 93% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 91% of students attending Kentucky State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 21.8 % Acceptance Rate 92.5% SAT Score 810 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $9,672 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,640