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Net Price of Kentucky Colleges by Income

Cost of Kentucky Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

Questions & Answers

What do all these numbers mean?

All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

What is “Total Cost” on the chart?

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.

How can I use this information?

This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $15,566 and the average private school would be $21,911. You can also get information on specific Kentucky schools in the chart above or the tables below.

Will my family pay the amount on this chart?

Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.

Where did this information come from?

As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.

What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?

Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.

The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?

For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:

  • College savings and investments
  • Payments from current income
  • Loans
  • Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
  • Tax planning
  • Student work
Cost of Kentucky Schools Explanation

Net Price:

Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.

Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.

Total Cost at University of Kentucky (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $12,484
Room and Board $13,588
Books $1,000
Other Expenses $4,474
Total $31,546

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

College Total Cost
Family Income KY Public $24,769 KY Private $43,939
$0 - $30k $9,296 $16,496
$30,001 – $48k $10,419 $16,131
$48,001 – $75k $12,665 $18,487
$75,001 – $110k $15,566 $21,911
$110,001+ $16,999 $24,511

Public vs. Private Averages

This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Kentucky public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $6,000-$8,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.

Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Kentucky. Click a school to view its complete chart.

Public KY Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Eastern Kentucky University

    Richmond
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,876 $9,752
    Room and Board $10,476 $9,410
    Books $1,200 $0
    Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800
    Total $24,352 $21,962
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,251 $11,049
    $30,001 - $48k $11,613 $10,473
    $48,001 - $75k $13,581 $12,248
    $75,001 - $110k $16,521 $14,900
    $110,001+ $17,302 $15,604
  • Kentucky State University

    Frankfort
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,800 $9,020
    Room and Board $6,680 $6,690
    Books $1,300 $1,300
    Other Expenses $998 $998
    Total $17,778 $18,008
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,905 $5,981
    $30,001 - $48k $6,993 $7,083
    $48,001 - $75k $8,253 $8,360
    $75,001 - $110k $9,368 $9,489
    $110,001+ $13,402 $13,575
  • University of Kentucky

    Lexington
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,484 $12,610
    Room and Board $13,588 $14,000
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $4,474 $4,080
    Total $31,546 $31,690
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,926 $11,980
    $30,001 - $48k $13,594 $13,656
    $48,001 - $75k $16,418 $16,493
    $75,001 - $110k $21,029 $21,125
    $110,001+ $24,030 $24,140
  • University of Louisville

    Louisville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,162 $12,370
    Room and Board $9,754 $9,852
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $6,562 $6,782
    Total $29,678 $30,204
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,436 $14,692
    $30,001 - $48k $15,466 $15,740
    $48,001 - $75k $17,544 $17,855
    $75,001 - $110k $21,377 $21,756
    $110,001+ $22,740 $23,143
  • Morehead State University

    Morehead
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,290 $9,462
    Room and Board $9,820 $10,040
    Books $1,200 $1,008
    Other Expenses $2,622 $2,604
    Total $22,932 $23,114
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,276 $8,342
    $30,001 - $48k $8,959 $9,030
    $48,001 - $75k $11,410 $11,501
    $75,001 - $110k $14,984 $15,103
    $110,001+ $15,535 $15,658
  • Murray State University

    Murray
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,168 $9,252
    Room and Board $9,512 $9,868
    Books $1,260 $1,260
    Other Expenses $4,355 $4,330
    Total $24,295 $24,710
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,986 $9,139
    $30,001 - $48k $7,928 $8,063
    $48,001 - $75k $11,625 $11,824
    $75,001 - $110k $14,603 $14,852
    $110,001+ $14,896 $15,150
  • Northern Kentucky University

    Highland Heights
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,296 $10,392
    Room and Board $10,046 $11,454
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $2,500 $2,500
    Total $23,642 $25,146
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $1,287 $1,369
    $30,001 - $48k $2,609 $2,775
    $48,001 - $75k $6,634 $7,056
    $75,001 - $110k $10,787 $11,473
    $110,001+ $12,031 $12,796
  • Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,802 $10,992
    Room and Board $10,044 $10,708
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,086 $2,115
    Total $23,932 $24,815
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,303 $11,720
    $30,001 - $48k $16,192 $16,789
    $48,001 - $75k $15,852 $16,437
    $75,001 - $110k $15,859 $16,444
    $110,001+ $16,059 $16,652

Private KY Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Alice Lloyd College

    Pippa Passes
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $14,230 $14,230
    Room and Board $7,390 $7,390
    Books $1,400 $1,400
    Other Expenses $5,100 $5,100
    Total $28,120 $28,120
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,957 $14,957
    $30,001 - $48k $15,070 $15,070
    $48,001 - $75k $17,278 $17,278
    $75,001 - $110k $18,344 $18,344
    $110,001+ $18,576 $18,576
  • Asbury University

    Wilmore
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $32,028 $32,652
    Room and Board $7,969 $8,340
    Books $1,365 $1,380
    Other Expenses $3,060 $3,090
    Total $44,422 $45,462
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,274 $21,772
    $30,001 - $48k $20,246 $20,720
    $48,001 - $75k $21,918 $22,431
    $75,001 - $110k $23,201 $23,744
    $110,001+ $26,629 $27,252
  • Bellarmine University

    Louisville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $43,470 $44,920
    Room and Board $9,420 $9,420
    Books $768 $0
    Other Expenses $7,422 $6,878
    Total $61,080 $61,218
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,161 $20,207
    $30,001 - $48k $20,462 $20,508
    $48,001 - $75k $21,625 $21,674
    $75,001 - $110k $26,706 $26,766
    $110,001+ $25,168 $25,225
  • Berea College

    Berea
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $45,092 $43,612
    Room and Board $7,264 $7,484
    Books $700 $700
    Other Expenses $2,600 $2,600
    Total $55,656 $54,396
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $3,447 $3,369
    $30,001 - $48k $1,902 $1,859
    $48,001 - $75k $4,414 $4,314
    $75,001 - $110k $12,260 $11,982
    $110,001+ $0 $0
  • Brescia University

    Owensboro
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $25,100 $26,950
    Room and Board $10,000 $10,204
    Books $3,000 $3,000
    Other Expenses $2,000 $2,100
    Total $40,100 $42,254
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,206 $13,915
    $30,001 - $48k $11,098 $11,694
    $48,001 - $75k $13,916 $14,664
    $75,001 - $110k $13,456 $14,179
    $110,001+ $17,435 $18,372
  • Campbellsville University

    Campbellsville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $25,400 $25,000
    Room and Board $8,000 $8,880
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $5,402 $5,412
    Total $40,002 $40,492
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $23,190 $23,474
    $30,001 - $48k $23,563 $23,852
    $48,001 - $75k $23,275 $23,560
    $75,001 - $110k $23,097 $23,380
    $110,001+ $24,387 $24,686
  • Centre College

    Danville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $44,300 $46,000
    Room and Board $11,170 $11,600
    Books $1,400 $1,250
    Other Expenses $1,840 $1,850
    Total $58,710 $60,700
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,849 $13,285
    $30,001 - $48k $12,870 $13,306
    $48,001 - $75k $16,205 $16,754
    $75,001 - $110k $19,225 $19,877
    $110,001+ $27,398 $28,327
  • University of the Cumberlands

    Williamsburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,875 $9,875
    Room and Board $9,300 $9,300
    Books $0 $0
    Other Expenses $5,709 $5,709
    Total $24,884 $24,884
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,137 $12,137
    $30,001 - $48k $13,036 $13,036
    $48,001 - $75k $14,963 $14,963
    $75,001 - $110k $18,465 $18,465
    $110,001+ $18,532 $18,532
  • Georgetown College

    Georgetown
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $40,800 $41,200
    Room and Board $10,670 $10,990
    Books $1,250 $1,250
    Other Expenses $2,282 $2,234
    Total $55,002 $55,674
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,144 $9,256
    $30,001 - $48k $11,413 $11,552
    $48,001 - $75k $13,799 $13,968
    $75,001 - $110k $17,433 $17,646
    $110,001+ $18,857 $19,087
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College

    Owensboro
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $28,540 $29,660
    Room and Board $10,000 $10,850
    Books $1,298 $1,298
    Other Expenses $3,964 $2,500
    Total $43,802 $44,308
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $26,436 $26,741
    $30,001 - $48k $27,290 $27,605
    $48,001 - $75k $29,468 $29,808
    $75,001 - $110k $29,629 $29,971
    $110,001+ $30,366 $30,717
  • Kentucky Christian University

    Grayson
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $21,200 $22,130
    Room and Board $8,700 $8,840
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $5,100 $5,144
    Total $36,200 $37,314
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $22,619 $23,315
    $30,001 - $48k $20,852 $21,494
    $48,001 - $75k $23,056 $23,766
    $75,001 - $110k $23,901 $24,637
    $110,001+ $24,869 $25,634
  • Lindsey Wilson College

    Columbia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $25,718 $25,718
    Room and Board $9,495 $9,495
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $5,243 $5,243
    Total $41,456 $41,456
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,337 $17,337
    $30,001 - $48k $12,301 $12,301
    $48,001 - $75k $13,361 $13,361
    $75,001 - $110k $17,114 $17,114
    $110,001+ $21,932 $21,932
  • Midway University

    Midway
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $24,850 $24,850
    Room and Board $8,600 $8,600
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $7,000 $7,000
    Total $41,650 $41,650
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,413 $21,413
    $30,001 - $48k $19,087 $19,087
    $48,001 - $75k $23,271 $23,271
    $75,001 - $110k $25,659 $25,659
    $110,001+ $26,585 $26,585
  • University of Pikeville

    Pikeville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $22,050 $22,650
    Room and Board $8,050 $8,200
    Books $2,000 $2,000
    Other Expenses $3,040 $3,040
    Total $35,140 $35,890
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,075 $11,311
    $30,001 - $48k $13,249 $13,532
    $48,001 - $75k $14,159 $14,461
    $75,001 - $110k $15,896 $16,235
    $110,001+ $17,771 $18,150
  • Spalding University

    Louisville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $25,975 $26,550
    Room and Board $7,600 $8,266
    Books $1,400 $1,120
    Other Expenses $6,937 $7,114
    Total $41,912 $43,050
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,416 $21,997
    $30,001 - $48k $20,188 $20,736
    $48,001 - $75k $22,419 $23,028
    $75,001 - $110k $24,525 $25,191
    $110,001+ $26,091 $26,799
  • Thomas More College

    Crestview Hills
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $33,420 $34,760
    Room and Board $9,236 $9,688
    Books $0 $500
    Other Expenses $3,282 $3,392
    Total $45,938 $48,340
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,556 $16,369
    $30,001 - $48k $16,494 $17,356
    $48,001 - $75k $18,551 $19,521
    $75,001 - $110k $20,646 $21,726
    $110,001+ $22,032 $23,184
  • Transylvania University

    Lexington
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $41,610 $42,520
    Room and Board $11,660 $12,200
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,350 $2,350
    Total $56,620 $58,070
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,194 $16,609
    $30,001 - $48k $20,130 $20,646
    $48,001 - $75k $22,768 $23,351
    $75,001 - $110k $25,594 $26,249
    $110,001+ $30,803 $31,592
  • Union College

    Barbourville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $28,000 $28,889
    Room and Board $6,700 $6,700
    Books $1,470 $1,470
    Other Expenses $4,030 $3,955
    Total $40,200 $41,014
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,522 $14,816
    $30,001 - $48k $11,102 $11,327
    $48,001 - $75k $18,328 $18,699
    $75,001 - $110k $39,252 $40,047
    $110,001+ $39,252 $40,047
 

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