Kentucky Colleges Shine in U.S. News Best College Rankings for 2025

Lexington, KY — The latest U.S. News and World Report Best College rankings for 2025 have recognized several Kentucky colleges and universities, with the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Louisville (U of L) achieving the highest status among national universities in the state. The rankings were released on Tuesday and evaluated nearly 1,500 institutions nationwide.

Specifically, UK placed 152nd, improving from 159th in the previous year, while U of L moved up to 179th from 195th. Bellarmine University also saw progress, ranking 273rd compared to 280th last year.

In addition to the national university rankings, Kentucky schools fared well among regional universities in the South. Notably, Murray State University ranked 20th, a significant jump from 31st last year. Other regional schools such as Asbury University and Morehead State University ranked 31st and 33rd, respectively.

The rankings aim to assist students and parents in choosing institutions that offer a quality education while fostering post-graduate success. LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, stated, “By considering factors such as social mobility and post-graduate success, we aim to help students choose schools that not only provide a quality education but also prepare them for a successful and fulfilling future.”

Despite the recognition, the U.S. News ranking methodology has faced criticism, particularly regarding potential inaccuracies in data submitted by universities. Several prestigious institutions, including Yale and Harvard, have withdrawn from the rankings due to concerns about how the data is compiled and the impact it may have on educational practices.

The ranking criteria include 17 factors, focusing on elements such as peer assessment, graduation rates, financial resources, and faculty salaries. Some notable Kentucky institutions and their rankings include:

• Top National Universities:
  • 152. University of Kentucky
  • 179. University of Louisville
  • 273. Bellarmine University
• Top Public Schools:
  • 81. University of Kentucky
  • 97. University of Louisville
  • 170. Eastern Kentucky University
  • 200. Western Kentucky University
• Regional Universities — South:
  • 20. Murray State University
  • 31. Asbury University
  • 33. Morehead State University
• National Liberal Arts Colleges:
  • 40. Berea College
  • 59. Centre College
  • 108. Transylvania University

As institutions in Kentucky continue to adapt and strive for improvement, the 2025 rankings reflect both achievements and challenges faced within the academic landscape.