2022 Best MBA Programs in Kentucky

Research the best MBA programs in Kentucky by concentrations offered, how the MBA programs are offered (full-time, part-time, online, weekend and evenings), rankings by publication, cost of tuition, number of alumni, GMAT requirements and more.

To meet the diverse needs of Kentucky businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 36 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

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. You will find 9 different paths to earn your MBA in Kentucky including Online, Campus, Full-Time, 1-Year, Distance Education, Evenings and Weekends, Off Campus, Part-Time and Partnership.

Kentucky has 11 Accredited MBA programs. There are 1 private and 7 public schools offering MBA programs.

Research additional school detail on the school summary pages, in the tables and charts below and throughout the site.

MBA Program Comparisons: Kentucky vs Online vs U.S.

Rankings 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 11 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

Salaries for MBA Graduates in Kentucky

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in Kentucky is about $78,929, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $45,916 from Campbellsville University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $110,000 from Northern Kentucky University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in Kentucky is between $45,916 from Campbellsville University and $110,000 from Northern Kentucky University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Kentucky is $81,513.

In-Person

• Average: $78,929 from Kentucky's 9 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $45,916 from Campbellsville University
• Highest In-Person:$110,000 from Northern Kentucky University

Online

• Average: $81,513 from Kentucky's 7 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $45,916 from Campbellsville University
• Highest Online: $110,000 from Northern Kentucky University

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 $23,187, the least expensive MBA program is $16,320 from Murray State University, and the most expensive is $36,941 from University of Kentucky.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Kentucky will cost you between $16,320 from Murray State University and $20,691 from Northern Kentucky University. The average cost of online MBA programs within Kentucky is $18,674.

In-Person

• Average: $23,187 from Kentucky's 9 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $16,320 from Murray State University
• Highest in-person: $36,941 from University of Kentucky

Online

• Average: $18,674 from Kentucky's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $16,320 from Murray State University
• Highest online: $20,691 from Northern Kentucky University

GMAT Scores Needed for MBA Programs 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 529, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 460 from Bellarmine University, and the highest GMAT score needed is 600 from Northern Kentucky University.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Kentucky is between 460 from Bellarmine University to 600 from Northern Kentucky University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Kentucky is 513.

In-Person

• Average: 529 from Kentucky's 9 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 460 from Bellarmine University
• Highest in-person: 600 from Northern Kentucky University

Online

• Average: 513 from Kentucky's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 460 from Bellarmine University
• Highest online: 600 from Northern Kentucky University

Student Enrollment for Kentucky MBA Programs

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 21 and 203. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 15 and 679.

In Person

• Lowest: 21 from Northern Kentucky University
• Highest: 203 from University of Kentucky
• Average: 79 from Kentucky's 11 MBA Programs.
• Average: 243 from 876 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 21 from Northern Kentucky University
• Highest: 150 from Murray State University
• Average: 62 from Kentucky's 7 MBA Programs.
• Average: 199 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

Percent of Global MBA Student Population

The MBA programs in the United States are coveted around the world and attract a healthy percentage of global students each year. A culturally diverse student population is especially important in an ever-changing global economy. With increasing globalization, a well diversified student body from outside the United States can provide much needed global world-view as well as valuable networking opportunities.

In Kentucky the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of N/A to a high of N/A.

For online programs in  Kentucky the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of N/A to a high of N/A.

In Person

• Lowest: N/A from N/A
• Highest: N/A from N/A
• Average: N/A from Kentucky's 9 in-person MBA Programs.
• Average: 75% from 590 nation's in-person MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: N/A from N/A
• Highest: N/A from N/A
• Average: N/A from Kentucky's 7 online MBA Programs.
• Average: 76% from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

MBA Concentrations Available from MBA Programs 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 36 MBA concentrations including:

• Accounting: 8
• Finance: 8
• Marketing: 8
• Information Systems: 8
• General Business: 8
• Management: 8
• Entrepreneurship: 6
• International Business: 6
• Economics: 5
• Leadership: 4

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• University of Louisville: 20
• University of Kentucky: 15
• Western Kentucky University: 14
• Northern Kentucky University: 13
• Murray State University: 13
• Eastern Kentucky University: 13
• Bellarmine University: 12
• Morehead State University: 10
• Campbellsville University: 2
• Asbury University: 1

 Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA Programs in Kentucky

Quality MBA programs invest in the number of professors relative to the students attending the program. Commonly known as the Student Faculty ratio. Generally, the lower the ratio, the better it is for students. MBA students will get the personalized one-on-one attention from faculty mentors that have extensive experience in the industry. The Student/Faculty metric is a matter of personal preference and for those students who excel in lecture hall environments, you may not need the low student/faculty ratio.

In Kentucky the student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 7:20 the highest (less desirable) of 11:4. For online MBA programs thee student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 7:20 the highest (less desirable) of 11:4.

In Person

• Lowest: 7:20 from Western Kentucky University
• Highest: 11:4 from Bellarmine University
• Average: 63:50 from Kentucky's 9 MBA Programs.
• Average: 129:50 from 590 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 7:20 from Western Kentucky University
• Highest: 11:4 from Bellarmine University
• Average: 29:25 from Kentucky's 7 MBA Programs.
• Average: 249:100 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

Full-Time Faculty

Highly competitive MBA schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academics and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective field. Most business professors have experienced success in the corporate world and have written extensively in their chosen field. The number of highly-qualified full-time faculty is directly related to the reputation of most elite MBA programs.

The number of full-time faculty for MBA programs in Kentucky ranges from a low of 21 professors to a high or 107.

• Lowest: 21 from Bellarmine University
• Highest: 107 from University of Kentucky
• Average: 52 from Kentucky's 11 MBA Programs
• Average: 65 from 324 Online MBA Programs

Percent of Faculty with a PhD

Another high-level perspective to consider when determining the quality of an MBA faculty is to note the number of faculty who have earned a PhD in their respective area of excellence. Note to writer - create a fuller amount of content for this section.

In Kentucky MBA programs range from 75.80% of the faculty having a PhD to a 92.80% of the MBA faculty having a PhD.

• Lowest: 76% from Morehead State University
• Highest: 93% from University of Kentucky
• Average: 83% from Kentucky's 11 MBA Programs
• Average: 83% from 324 Online MBA Programs

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.

Cities in Kentucky with Accredited MBA Programs

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. The following is a list of cities in Kentucky with accredited MBA programs: Bowling Green, Highland Heights, Lexington, Louisville, Morehead, Murray and Richmond.

Table of Best Ranked MBA Programs in Kentucky