Kentucky is located in the southeastern region of the United States. The state is nestled between the Ohio River, the Mississippi River, and the Appalachian Mountains. It is bordered by West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Kentucky was the 15th state admitted into the Union. The capital is Frankfort and the largest city is Louisville. If you want to attend college in Kentucky, here are the safest colleges to consider.
For the sake of this list , a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.
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#1 Asbury University
Located in Wilmore, Kentucky, Asbury University is a private liberal arts college that was founded in 1890. The university is a nondenominational Christian institute with 1,363 undergraduate students. It is located 30 minutes from both the Kentucky River and Lexington, Kentucky. As the safest college in Kentucky, Asbury University has a campus crime rate of 0 per 1000.
#2 Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Christian University can be found in Grayson, Kentucky, which is on the northeastern side of the state. The school is a private Christian university associated with the Protestant church. It was founded in 1919. With a faculty of 36, Kentucky Christian University offers 19 different programs, and it has a campus crime rate of 0 per 1000.
#3 Mid-Continent University
Founded in 1949, Mid-Continent University is a private Christian university located in Mayfield, Kentucky. The school is affiliated with the Baptist church. For students who enjoy the outdoors, the campus is centered between the Mississippi River and the Ohio River. Mid-Continent University has an acceptance rate of 70% and a campus crime rate of 0 per 1000.
#4 University of the Cumberlands
Located in Willamsburg, Kentucky, the University of the Cumberlands is a private liberal arts college that is associated with the Southern Baptist Church. It was founded in 1889. Today, the school has 1,481 undergraduate students and 2,433 graduate students as it offers both master’s and doctoral level degrees. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#5 Northern Kentucky University
Founded in 1968, Northern Kentucky University is a public college located in Highland Heights. With its placement in far northern Kentucky, the school is just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. Northern Kentucky University offers 144 programs with the most popular program being registered nursing. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#6 Bellarmine University
A school in Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University is a private liberal arts college near the Ohio River. The school was founded in 1950 and is associated with the Roman Catholic Church. It has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and a 95% acceptance rate. With 45 degree programs, Bellarmine University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level degrees. The campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#7 Centre College
A private liberal arts college located in Danville, Kentucky, Centre College was founded in 1819. It’s located in the center of the state and is associated with the Presbyterian Church. At Centre College, the acceptance rate is 69%, and the school has 1,343 undergraduate students. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#8 Morehead State University
Morehead State University is a public college found in Morehead, Kentucky. This university was founded in 1887. It has 381 faculty members with an 18:1 student to faculty ratio, and there are 64 programs offered with both undergraduate and graduate level degrees. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#9 Campbellsville University
Located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Campbellsville University is a private college founded in 1906 as Russell Creek Academy. The school is associated with the Baptist Church. The school offers 48 degree programs, and the most popular are Business and Commerce and Special Education and Teaching. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#10 University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public college found in Louisville, Kentucky. The school was founded in 1798, and it is part of the Kentucky State University System. The University of Louisville has a 71% acceptance rate, and there are 12,192 undergraduate students. The campus crime rate at the University of Louisville is 0 per 1000.
#11 Murray State University
Murray State University is a public university founded in 1923. The school is located in Murray, Kentucky, which is 30 minutes from Kentucky Lake. It has 421 faculty members with a 16:1 student to faculty ratio. There are 82 different degree programs offered here, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#12 Georgetown College
Founded in 1829, Georgetown College is a private liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Kentucky. This is a Christian institution associated with the Baptist Church, and it encourages a faith based education. For students wanting to live near the city, Georgetown College is located 30 minutes from Lexington, Kentucky. The campus crime rate is 1 per 1000.
#13 Spalding University
Spalding University is a private university founded in 1814. This school is associated with the Catholic Church. It is located in Louisville, Kentucky and is 15 minutes from the Ohio River. There are 33 programs offered at Spalding University, and Registered Nursing is the most popular. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#14 Lindsey Wilson College
Lindsey Wilson College is a private institution associated with the United Methodist Church. The school was founded in 1903 as Lindsey Wilson Training School, and it is found in Columbia, Kentucky. It received its present name in 1923. Lindsey Wilson College has a 15:1 student to faculty ratio, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#15 Berea College
Founded in 1855, Berea College is a private liberal arts school in Berea, Kentucky, which is found in the center of the state. The school was founded on Christian values, which it pairs with a quality education. The student to faculty ratio is 11:1, and the school has a total of 135 faculty members. The campus crime rate is 1 per 1000.
#16 Brescia University
Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, Brescia University is a private college founded in 1925. The school is affiliated with the Catholic Church, and it was founded as a junior college for women. Today, Brescia University is co-educational. The school offers 33 different degree programs, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#17 Transylvania University
Transylvania University is the oldest university in Kentucky, as it was founded in 1780. This is a private liberal arts school associated with the Disciples of Christ. It is located in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky. The acceptance rate is 83%, and the most popular major is Biology and Biological Studies and Business and Commerce. The campus crime rate is 2 per 1000.
#18 Kentucky Wesleyan College
Founded in 1858, Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, Kentucky. It is a private liberal arts school associated with the United Methodist Church. For students who enjoy the outdoors, Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in west Kentucky near the Ohio River. The campus crime rate here is 1 per 1000.
#19 Western Kentucky University
Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Kentucky University is a public institution founded in 1906. It is nestled in the southwestern side of the state. The school has a 92% acceptance rate with 13,868 undergraduate students and 3,009 graduate students. The campus crime rate at Western Kentucky University is 0 per 1000.
#20 Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University is a public university located in Richmond, Kentucky, which is 45 minutes from Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1906. With 657 faculty memebers, Eastern Kentucky University has a 15:1 student to faculty ratio. There are 122 degree programs offered here, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#21 University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is a public land-grant university located in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky. The school was founded in 1865. It has a 69% acceptance rate with 19,178 undergraduate students 7,207 graduate students. The school offers 165 degree programs, and the campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#22 University of Pikeville
Founded in 1889, the University of Pikeville is a private liberal arts college located in Pikeville, Kentucky. It is associated with the Presbyterian Church. This school offers 22 different majors with the most popular being Osteopathic Medicine. The campus crime rate at the University of Pikeville is 0 per 1000.
#23 Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University is a public university located in Frankfort, Kentucky. This school is a Historically Black College and University, and it was founded in 1886. It has 132 faculty members and a student to faculty ratio of 14:1. There are 29 degree programs offered here. The campus crime rate is 1 per 1000.
