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Easiest colleges to get into in Kentucky

Updated Federal and Common Data Set numbers, each with its year

The short answer

The easiest four-year colleges to get into in Kentucky are Lindsey Wilson University (open admission), University of Pikeville (open admission) and Spalding University (99.4%), by the share of applicants admitted.

A high acceptance rate means the college admits most people who apply. Open-admission colleges admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. Each row also shows the average price after grants, so you can weigh the two.

The list (13 of 26)

Four-year colleges in Kentucky with 500 or more undergraduates, open-admission colleges first, then the highest acceptance rate. The list shows 13 of the 26 colleges with an acceptance rate or open admission on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024) for 10 colleges and each college's own Common Data Set (fall 2025) for 1 college.

  1. Lindsey Wilson University Open admission Columbia, KY · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $14,300 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
  2. University of Pikeville Open admission Pikeville, KY · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $19,224 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
  3. Spalding University 99.4% admitted Louisville, KY · Average price after grants: $24,262 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  4. University of the Cumberlands 99% admitted Williamsburg, KY · Average price after grants: $13,885 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. Kentucky State University 96% admitted Frankfort, KY · Average price after grants: $17,637 a year in-state, about $21,977 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  6. Midway University 95% admitted Midway, KY · Average price after grants: $29,981 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  7. Western Kentucky University 94% admitted Bowling Green, KY · Average price after grants: $11,789 a year in-state, about $26,717 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. University of Kentucky 94% admitted Lexington, KY · Average price after grants: $18,868 a year in-state, about $40,125 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  9. Georgetown College 91% admitted Georgetown, KY · Average price after grants: $13,270 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  10. Thomas More University 90% admitted Crestview Hills, KY · Average price after grants: $22,723 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  11. Transylvania University 87% admitted Lexington, KY · Average price after grants: $21,954 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  12. Bellarmine University 86% admitted Louisville, KY · Average price after grants: $17,991 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  13. Murray State University 86% admitted Murray, KY · Average price after grants: $7,350 a year in-state, about $17,706 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the easiest colleges to get into in Kentucky?

The easiest four-year colleges to get into in Kentucky are Lindsey Wilson University (open admission), University of Pikeville (open admission) and Spalding University (99.4%), by the share of applicants admitted.

How many of these colleges have open admission?

2 of the 13 colleges listed have open admission: they admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. The others admitted 86% to 99.4% of applicants.

How recent are these acceptance rates?

Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.

Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.

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