Best Community Colleges in Kentucky of 2023

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is located in Paducah. Several satellite centers are nearby, including the Paducah School of Art & Design and training centers in Mayfield and Hickory. There are nearly 5,000 students, with credential-seeking students accounting for more than half of them. The student-teacher ratio is 16:1, and about half the students take at least one course online. The school offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a broad range of subject areas, from air conditioning technology to dental assisting. Transferable associate of arts and associate of science degrees are available for students who wish to continue their education after graduation at a four-year school. There are apprenticeships for vocational programs such as electrical systems and plumbing. In 2021, the college was recognized as one of the top five community colleges in the U.S. by the non-profit Aspen Institute.

With six campus locations, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College offers a range of learning locations for students. The main campus is in Bowling Green. The Kentucky Advanced Technology Institute (KATI) is also part of the college, with programs in business administration systems, computer and IT, and medical information technology programs. Other campuses are in Glasgow and Franklin. The campuses feature 30+ programs leading to associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates, with adult education classes available to teach basic skills and ESL. Students can find programs in the arts and humanities, business, engineering and technology, healthcare, and the sciences. The student body is roughly 4,300 students, and the student-faculty ratio is 20:1. Dual credit is available for qualifying high school students, and some students can receive credit for life experiences.

Located in rural Madisonville, with three campuses, with another in Muhlenberg, Madisonville Community College offers a range of programs for its 3,200+ students. The school offers transferable associate of arts and associate of science programs in psychology, pre-med, engineering, and more. Students wanting to pursue a career as a teacher may be interested in the 2 + 2 education program in conjunction with Murray State University. Students may choose to major in elementary education, middle school education with specialties in math and science, math and social studies, or social studies and science, or elementary and special education dual certification. Limited programs are available in the MCC Accelerate program, which requires a commitment of only one night a week to earn a degree in business administration, health science technology, or computer information technology.

Maysville Community and Technical College is located in Mayville, with three satellite campuses in Cynthiana, Mt. Sterling, and Morehead. The school offers associate of arts and associate of science degrees in subjects such as social work, pre-vet, and pre-physical therapy, along with diploma and certificate programs in aviation maintenance technology, business administration, the culinary arts, and more. Some classes are available in online or hybrid form, and there are evening classes to meet the needs of working professionals. Ninety-seven percent of students receive financial assistance, including grants, scholarships, and student loans. Several scholarships administered by the MCTC Foundation are available to students who meet specific qualifications and take at least 12 credit hours a semester.

Gateway Community and Technical College has three campuses: the urban metro campus in downtown Covington, the Boone Campus in Florence, and a campus in Edgewood. The metro campus includes the school's Center for Technology, Innovation, and Enterprise, a professional services center, and a transportation technology center. It is the central hub for student services and has easy access to Covington's shopping, culture, and housing options. The school provides transfer and career education and training to roughly 4,000 students each year. Apprenticeships and internships are available through the school's partnerships with more than 400 local businesses. The student-faculty ratio is 16:1, and scholarships, grants, and loans are available for students in need of financial support. Ninety-three percent of the students receive financial aid of some sort.

Owensboro Community and Technical College offers degrees, including an associate in arts, associate in fine arts, associate in visual art, associate in science, and associate in applied science, as well as diplomas and certificates in technical programs. General arts and sciences programs designed to provide the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program and career-oriented programs for immediate technical or semi-professional employment are available to students. OCTC has four campuses: three in Owensboro and a technology center in Harned. The Owensboro Innovation Campus is a business accelerator and research facility affiliated with the college. Among the scholarship options available to students is the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, which allows students to earn up to 60 credits for free in high-demand fields such as welding technology, communications technician, and supply chain management.

Located in Henderson, HCC's 1,500 students take courses toward associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates. A.A. and A.S. degrees feature transferable credits allowing students to continue their education at a four-year college or university. Program options include elementary education, biology, and pre-med. The school has a 2 + 2 arrangement with Murray State University, which has a presence on the Henderson campus. The program allows students to specialize in elementary and special education dual certification, elementary education, or middle school education math and science, math and social studies, or social studies and science. Adult education options include GED preparation, reading, math, and communication classes. Online credit and non-credit courses make it easy for working professionals to take courses at a time that's convenient for them.

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College has six locations: Cumberland, Harlan, Middlesboro, Pineville, Knox, and Whitesburg. Some campuses offer specialized programs: the Pineville campus, for example, houses the school's programs in the health sciences, while Middlesboro provides classes in CAD, diesel technology, medical transcription, and heavy equipment operation. The college offers an associate of arts, an associate of science, and an associate of applied science degrees, along with diploma and certificate programs and adult education. Sixty-four faculty members are working with the school's nearly 2,500 students, making the student-faculty ratio 17:1. There is a range of student support services, including specialized services for groups such as veterans and international students. Pre-employment transition services provide counseling, job exploration, and self-advocacy instruction for individuals with disabilities.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College has seven campuses, three urban campuses in Lexington along with four regional campuses. It also houses North American Racing Academy (NARA), the only college degree program in the U.S. focused on producing jockeys and other equine professionals. One of the larger schools in Kentucky's community and technical college system, it has an enrollment of nearly 10,000, with 190+ faculty members. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1. BCTC awards associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in more than 40 areas of study, from administrative office technology to filmmaking. International students are welcomed at BCTC and may be able to assign credit for past life experiences. Undocumented students and those with refugee status are also eligible to apply. The Lexington area features many ethnic and cultural communities that can provide support to international students.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College offers classes at five locations, including the primary campus in Elizabethtown. The other campuses are in Fort Knox, Brandenburg, Springfield, and Leitchfield. The school provides a range of associate-level programs, along with diplomas and certificates for students who wish to advance their careers or continue to further their education. The college enrolls 5,600+ students and has 108 faculty members. The student-faculty ratio is 22:1. The Work Ready Kentucky program offers up to 60 credits tuition-free for eligible students enrolled in high-demand jobs. Military members stationed at Fort Knox are eligible to take classes at ECTC's Fort Knox Center. College staff can assist with all military portals and provide advisement and other help as needed. The college's military-friendly policies assist students whose enrollment is interrupted by military service.