Kentucky College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for Kentucky colleges

There are 38 four-year colleges and universities in Kentucky—8 public institutions and 30 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $11,126, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $22,770. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 2.00% and out-of-state costs changed by 1.60%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 27.84% (in-state) and 12.22% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $27,219 in 2025. That is a 1.62% change from last year and 30.77% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $12,016, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $18,592. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 2.28% and out-of-state costs changed by 2.44%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 20.30% (in-state) and 3.29% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $11,521 in 2025. That is a 1.85% change from last year and 24.45% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 1.62% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 2.00% (higher by 0.38 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 1.60% (lower by 0.02 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 30.77%, compared with public in-state 27.84% (lower by 2.93 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 12.22% (lower by 18.56 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 1.85% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 2.28% (higher by 0.42 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 2.44% (higher by 0.58 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 24.45%, compared with public graduate in-state 20.30% (lower by 4.15 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 3.29% (lower by 21.16 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $26,219 (public in-state), $37,863 (public out-of-state), and $42,312 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 3.51%, 2.79%, and 2.68%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 33.85% (public in-state), 21.45% (public out-of-state), and 33.48% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $28,091 (public in-state), $39,735 (public out-of-state), and $44,184 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 4.49%, 3.51%, and 3.33%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 39.17% (public in-state), 25.06% (public out-of-state), and 36.81% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of Kentucky Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in Kentucky from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in Kentucky and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For Kentucky public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $11,126 which has increased by 27.84% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $22,770 which has risen by 12.22%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 1.22% while last year increase rate was 1.60%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Kentucky Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$8,987$9,451$9,809$10,044$10,227$10,360$10,481$10,615$10,908$11,126
Year-to-Year Rates3.25%5.16%3.79%2.40%1.82%1.30%1.17%1.28%2.75%2.00%
Cumulative Rates3.25%8.59%12.71%15.41%17.51%19.03%20.43%21.97%25.33%27.84%
Out-of-State Costs$20,995$21,013$21,872$22,407$21,993$21,422$21,663$21,924$22,412$22,770
Year-to-Year Rates3.47%0.09%4.09%2.45%-1.85%-2.60%1.12%1.21%2.23%1.60%
Cumulative Rates3.47%3.56%7.79%10.43%8.39%5.57%6.76%8.05%10.45%12.22%
For private schools in Kentucky state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $27,219 which has increased by 30.77% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 3.08% while last year increase rate was 1.62%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Kentucky Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$21,253$22,347$23,015$24,025$23,910$24,309$25,091$25,757$26,785$27,219
Year-to-Year Rates2.11%5.15%2.99%4.39%-0.48%1.67%3.21%2.66%3.99%1.62%
Cumulative Rates2.11%7.37%10.57%15.43%14.87%16.79%20.55%23.75%28.69%30.77%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of Kentucky public schools are $12,016 which has increased by 20.30% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $18,592 which has risen by 3.29%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 0.33% while last year increase rate was 2.44%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Kentucky Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$10,366$10,780$10,743$10,906$11,023$11,133$11,168$11,003$11,749$12,016
Year-to-Year Rates3.78%4.00%-0.34%1.52%1.08%0.99%0.32%-1.47%6.77%2.28%
Cumulative Rates3.78%7.93%7.56%9.19%10.36%11.46%11.81%10.17%17.63%20.30%
Out-of-State Costs$18,793$19,706$19,242$18,084$18,366$18,569$18,360$17,742$18,150$18,592
Year-to-Year Rates4.41%4.86%-2.35%-6.02%1.56%1.11%-1.12%-3.37%2.30%2.44%
Cumulative Rates4.41%9.48%6.90%0.47%2.03%3.16%2.00%-1.43%0.83%3.29%
For private graduate schools in Kentucky state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $11,521 which has increased by 24.45% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 2.44496% while last year increase rate was 1.85%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Kentucky Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$9,778$10,302$10,103$10,564$10,471$10,150$10,932$11,045$11,311$11,521
Year-to-Year Rates5.62%5.36%-1.93%4.56%-0.88%-3.07%7.70%1.04%2.40%1.85%
Cumulative Rates5.62%11.29%9.14%14.12%13.12%9.64%18.09%19.32%22.18%24.45%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at Kentucky college cost trends.