2025 Best MBA Programs in Kentucky

Murray State University

The Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

Location:

• Murray

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $16,455
• Graduate Salary: $90,419
• Graduate ROI: 449%
• GMAT Required: Conditional
• Avg. GMAT: 593
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 19:1
• Business School Enrollment: 1,450

Degree Level(s):

• Master
• ·
• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• Campus
• ·
• Distance Education
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Off Campus
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time

• Concentrations: 10

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Data Analytics
• Finance
• General Business
• Information Systems
• Leadership
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain

• Rankings

• City Rank: 1
• State Rank: 1
• National Rank: 110
• Online Rank: 76

University of Kentucky

Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics

Location:

• Lexington

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business and Accounting

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $39,449
• Graduate Salary: $67,579
• Graduate ROI: 71%
• GMAT Required: Yes
• Avg. GMAT: 623
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 26:1
• Business School Enrollment: 5,615

Degree Level(s):

• Doctoral
• ·
• Master
• ·
• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• 1-Year
• ·
• Campus
• ·
• Evenings
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Off Campus
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time
• ·
• Partnership
• ·
• Weekends

• Concentrations: 13

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Data Analytics
• Economics
• Finance
• General Business
• Global Management
• Human Resources
• International Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Other
• Supply Chain

• Rankings

• City Rank: 1
• State Rank: 2
• National Rank: 173
• Online Rank: 120

Northern Kentucky University

HAILE College of Business

Location:

• Highland Heights

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $19,443
• Graduate Salary: $79,600
• Graduate ROI: 309%
• GMAT Required: Conditional
• Avg. GMAT: 541
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 23:1
• Business School Enrollment: 2,631

Degree Level(s):

• Master
• ·
• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• Campus
• ·
• Evenings
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Off Campus
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time
• ·
• Weekends

• Concentrations: 16

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Data Analytics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• General Business
• Global Management
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Other
• Science and Technology
• Sports Management
• Supply Chain

• Rankings

• City Rank: 1
• State Rank: 3
• National Rank: 306
• Online Rank: 223

Morehead State University

Elmer R. Smith College of Business & Technology

Location:

• Morehead

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $17,970
• Graduate Salary: $68,500
• Graduate ROI: 281%
• GMAT Required: Yes
• Avg. GMAT: 580
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 15:1
• Business School Enrollment: 687

Degree Level(s):

• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• Campus
• ·
• Distance Education
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time

• Concentrations: 9

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• General Business
• Healthcare Administration
• Information Systems
• Management
• Marketing

• Rankings

• City Rank: 1
• State Rank: 4
• National Rank: 308
• Online Rank: 225

University of Louisville

College of Business

Location:

• Louisville

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business and Accounting

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $38,500
• Graduate Salary: $54,903
• Graduate ROI: 43%
• GMAT Required: Optional
• Avg. GMAT: 553
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 17:1
• Business School Enrollment: 2,989

Degree Level(s):

• Doctoral
• ·
• E-MBA
• ·
• Master
• ·
• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• Campus
• ·
• Evenings
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time
• ·
• Partnership
• ·
• Weekends

• Concentrations: 3

• Entrepreneurship
• General Business
• Management

• Rankings

• City Rank: 1
• State Rank: 5
• National Rank: 363
• Online Rank: 266

Western Kentucky University

Gordon Ford College of Business

Location:

• Bowling Green

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business and Accounting

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $12,600
• Graduate Salary: $62,000
• Graduate ROI: 392%
• GMAT Required: No
• Avg. GMAT: 473
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 17:1
• Business School Enrollment: 2,323

Degree Level(s):

• Master
• ·
• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• 1-Year
• ·
• Campus
• ·
• Distance Education
• ·
• Evenings
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Off Campus
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time
• ·
• Weekends

• Concentrations: 13

• Accounting
• Communications
• Corporate Finance
• Data Analytics
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• General Business
• Global Management
• International Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain

• Rankings

• City Rank: 2
• State Rank: 6
• National Rank: 414
• Online Rank: 305

Campbellsville University

School of Business, Economics, and Technologyl of Business, Economics, and Technology

Location:

,

• KY

Accredited:

• Avg. GMAT: 530

Degree Level(s):

Offered As:

• Concentrations: 5

• Financial Management
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Marketing

• Rankings

• City Rank: 14
• State Rank: 7
• National Rank: 494

Bellarmine University

W. Fielding Rubel School of Business

Location:

• Louisville

,

• KY

Control: Private for-profit

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $32,495
• Graduate Salary: $54,750
• Graduate ROI: 68%
• GMAT Required: No
• Avg. GMAT: 455
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 15:1
• Business School Enrollment: 497

Degree Level(s):

• E-MBA
• ·
• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• Campus
• ·
• Evenings
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Part-Time
• ·
• Weekends

• Concentrations: 4

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Finance
• General Business

• Rankings

• City Rank: 2
• State Rank: 8
• National Rank: 500

Eastern Kentucky University

College of Business

Location:

• Richmond

,

• KY

Control: Public

Academic Year: Semester

Accredited: AACSB

Accreditation: Business

Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

• Tuition: $15,264
• Graduate Salary: $42,450
• Graduate ROI: 178%
• GMAT Required: Yes
• Avg. GMAT: 510
• Student / Faculty Ratio: 19:1
• Business School Enrollment: 1,605

Degree Level(s):

• MBA
• ·
• Undergraduate

Offered As:

• Campus
• ·
• Evenings
• ·
• Full-Time
• ·
• Off Campus
• ·
• Online
• ·
• Part-Time
• ·
• Weekends

• Concentrations: 7

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Finance
• General Business
• Insurance
• Management
• Marketing

• Rankings

• City Rank: 3
• State Rank: 9
• National Rank: 507
• Online Rank: 384

Thomas More College

School of Business

Location:

,

• KY

Accredited:

Degree Level(s):

Offered As:

• Concentrations: 3

• Finance
• Management
• Marketing

• Rankings

• City Rank: 107
• State Rank: 10
• National Rank: 789

Asbury University

Dayton School of Business

Location:

,

• KY

Accredited:

Degree Level(s):

Offered As:

• Concentrations: 10

• Accounting
• Finance
• Health Care Management
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Leadership
• Management
• Marketing
• Science and Technology
• Supply Chain

• Rankings

• City Rank: 127
• State Rank: 11
• National Rank: 818

Compare MBA Program Averages in 2025
Kentucky, the U.S. and Online

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in Kentucky?

If you plan on attending an MBA program, it’s best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in Kentucky will cost about $24,022, the least expensive MBA program is $12,600 from Western Kentucky University, and the most expensive is $39,449 from University of Kentucky.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Kentucky will cost you between $12,600 from Western Kentucky University and $39,449 from University of Kentucky. The average cost of online MBA programs within Kentucky is $22,812.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

Average: $24,022 from Kentucky’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
Lowest in-person: $12,600 from Western Kentucky University
Highest in-person: $39,449 from University of Kentucky

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in Kentucky?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in Kentucky is about $65,025, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $42,450 from Eastern Kentucky University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $90,419 from Murray State University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in Kentucky is between $42,450 from Eastern Kentucky University and $90,419 from Murray State University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Kentucky is $66,493.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $65,025 from Kentucky’s 8 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $42,450 from Eastern Kentucky University
• Highest In-Person:$90,419 from Murray State University

What is the Average ROI for MBA Programs in Kentucky?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school’s reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you’re not just making a decision—you’re making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from Kentucky is 224%, the lowest ROI is 43% from University of Louisville, and the best ROI is 449% from Murray State University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in Kentucky range between 43% from University of Louisville and 449% from Murray State University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within Kentucky is 246%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 224% from Kentucky’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 43% from University of Louisville
• Highest in-person: 449% from Murray State University

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in Kentucky?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in Kentucky is 541, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 455 from Bellarmine University, and the highest GMAT score needed is 623 from University of Kentucky.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Kentucky is between 473 from Western Kentucky University to 623 from University of Kentucky. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Kentucky is 553.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 541 from Kentucky’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 455 from Bellarmine University
• Highest in-person: 623 from University of Kentucky

No GMAT or GRE – Best MBA Programs in Kentucky

MBA Schools with the Most Alumni Kentucky?

The importance of networking, whether it’s by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Kentucky state’s MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 10 and 292. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 6.00 and : 907.00.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 10 from Morehead State University
• Highest: 292 from Murray State University
• Average: 142 from Kentucky’s 8 MBA Programs.
• Average: 296 from 511 the nation’s campus MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in Kentucky?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of Kentucky businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 21 MBA concentrations including:

• General Business: 8
• Accounting: 7
• Finance: 7
• Corporate Finance: 7
• Management: 7
• Marketing: 6
• Supply Chain: 4
• Entrepreneurship: 4
• Data Analytics: 4
• Global Management: 3

What Schools Offer the Widest Variety of MBA Concentrations in Kentucky?

• Northern Kentucky University: 16
• Western Kentucky University: 13
• University of Kentucky: 13
• Murray State University: 10
• Morehead State University: 9
• Eastern Kentucky University: 7
• Bellarmine University: 4
• University of Louisville: 3

Cities Offering MBA Programs in Kentucky

Looking for a particular city in Kentucky with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in Kentucky. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Bowling Green
• Highland Heights
• Lexington
• Louisville
• Morehead
• Murray
• Richmond

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can’t be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

MBA Program Options Available in Kentucky

Options for earning your MBA in Kentucky have never been more flexible. Kentucky MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

Kentucky has 8 Accredited MBA programs. 1 private and 7 public schools offering MBA programs.

Kentucky has 7 public schools and 1 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

8 Accredited MBA programs.  and 7 public schools offering MBA programs.

Kentucky schools offer 10 different paths to earn your MBA in Kentucky including Campus, Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Evenings, Weekends, Off Campus, Distance Education, 1-Year and Partnership.

To meet the diverse needs of Kentucky businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 21 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in Kentucky

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 8 accredited MBA programs offered in Kentucky, 8 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (MBAGuide, PQ, US News and BW) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

Kentucky schools have earned a total of 13 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• University of Kentucky: 4
• University of Louisville: 3
• Northern Kentucky University: 1
• Bellarmine University: 1
• Murray State University: 1
• Morehead State University: 1
• Western Kentucky University: 1
• Eastern Kentucky University: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for Kentucky schools:

• MBAGuide: 8
• US News: 2
• BW: 1

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in Kentucky

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

Find: MBA Programs in Kentucky | Online MBA Programs in Kentucky Rankings: MBA Program Rankings | Online MBA Program Rankings Guides: Guide to Earning an Online MBA | Guide to Earning an MBA Concentrations: Online MBA Concentrations | Campus MBA Concentrations