Kentucky university campus representing artificial intelligence education
Updated December 2025

Best Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kentucky: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 6 top accredited artificial intelligence programs in Kentucky. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Louisville, Lexington, Covington.

Programs Ranked6
Median Salary$91,230
Cost of Living92.2%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kentucky 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, KYPrivate

128 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 80% graduation rate

$26K
Tuition/yr
80%
Grad Rate
71.4
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Murray State University

Murray, KYPublic

16 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 87% graduation rate

$8K
Tuition/yr
87%
Grad Rate
49.5
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Asbury University

Wilmore, KYPrivate

1 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 90% graduation rate

$33K
Tuition/yr
90%
Grad Rate
45.3
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.Kentucky offers 6+ accredited artificial intelligence programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Campbellsville University leads with 80% graduation rate
  • 3.Kentucky software developers earn median $91,230 annually (BLS OES 2024)
  • 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, Covington
  • 5.Cost of living index: 92.2% of US average (below average)

Artificial Intelligence Education in Kentucky: Overview

Kentucky offers 6 accredited artificial intelligence programs, producing approximately 181 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Louisville, Lexington, Covington, with major employers including Humana, Yum! Brands, Kindred Healthcare.

With a median software developer salary of $91,230 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 92.2% compared to the US average, Kentucky offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.

The top artificial intelligence programs in the state are led by Campbellsville University, Murray State University, Asbury University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

Kentucky Artificial Intelligence Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KYPrivate$26,49080%71.4
2Murray State UniversityMurray, KYPublic$8,43687%49.5
3Asbury UniversityWilmore, KYPrivate$33,07290%45.3
4Centre CollegeDanville, KYPrivate$50,250โ€”44.9
5Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KYPublic$11,436โ€”40.1
6Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KYPublic$10,512โ€”30.2

Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kentucky: Side-by-Side

SchoolCampbellsvilleMurray StateAsburyCentre CollegeWestern Kentucky
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$26,490
$8,436
$33,072
$50,250
$11,436
Graduation Rate
80%
87%
90%
N/A%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
128
16
1
12
22
Acceptance Rate
98%
86%
64%
54%
97%
Type
Private
Public
Private
Private
Public
Score
71.4/100
49.5/100
45.3/100
44.9/100
40.1/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Artificial Intelligence in Kentucky

Kentucky offers 5 bachelor's-level artificial intelligence programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Murray State University, Centre College, Asbury University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $63,861 in the Kentucky market.

A bachelor's in artificial intelligence typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Murray State
$8,436
87%
16
49.5
#2 Centre College
$50,250
N/A%
12
44.9
#3 Asbury
$33,072
90%
1
45.3

Top Artificial Intelligence Schools for Master's Degrees in Kentucky

For graduate study, Kentucky offers 2 master's-level artificial intelligence programs. Leading institutions include Campbellsville University, Northern Kentucky University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Kentucky reaching $118,599 or more.

Explore our complete national rankings of the best artificial intelligence master's programs for more options beyond Kentucky.

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Master's Programs in Kentucky

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Campbellsville
$26,490
80%
128
71.4
#2 Northern Kentucky
$10,512
N/A%
2
30.2

Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Colleges in Kentucky

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable artificial intelligence programs in Kentucky are at Murray State University ($8,436/year), Northern Kentucky University ($10,512/year), Western Kentucky University ($11,436/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Kentucky's competitive tech salaries.

At Murray State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $33,744 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $63,861, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 1.2 years. See our Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kentucky (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Murray State
$8,436
$33,744
1.2 years
Public
#2 Northern Kentucky
$10,512
$42,048
1.5 years
Public
#3 Western Kentucky
$11,436
$45,744
1.6 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Schools in Kentucky

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 artificial intelligence programs in Kentucky, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.

#1

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, KY โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-CampusOnline
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Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $26,490 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 128 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 71.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 80% graduation rate
  • 128 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 71.4 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (128 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,230), and selectivity (98% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

This STEM program is designed to teach students to implement AI and machine learning to solve practical problems, led by instructors with extensive experience in AI. The program can be completed in as little as one year online with flexible scheduling and accepts up to 12 transfer credits.

Admissions
  • Min GPA: 2.5
  • Transfer Friendly
Program Details
  • Credits: 36 credits
  • Capstone Project Required
Rankings & Recognition
  • Ranked in the top 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges in the U.S.
#21 Designation

Murray State University

Murray, KY โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-CampusOnline
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $8,436 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 87% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 16 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 49.5 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 87% graduation rate
  • 16 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 49.5 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (87%), program size (16 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,230), and selectivity (86% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

Murray State's online MS in MIS with Business Analytics and AI concentration is ranked #7 for affordability and recognized by U.S. News, offering hands-on practice with state-of-the-art tools like R, Python, IBM SPSS, and SAP Predictive Analytics. The program can be completed in as few as 12-18 months for $18,180 total tuition through an AACSB-accredited institution.

Program Accreditations & Designations
AACSB International
Program Details
  • Credits: 30 Credit Hours
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
Rankings & Recognition
  • ranked #7 among the Most Affordable Online Master's in Business Analytics Degree Programs by analyticsdegrees.org (2025)
  • recognized among the 2023 Best Online Programs in the Computer Information Technology (CIT) category by U.S. News and World Report
#3

Asbury University

Wilmore, KY โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus
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Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $33,072 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 1 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 45.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 90% graduation rate
  • 1 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 45.3 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,230), and selectivity (64% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

Asbury's Media Communication program boasts one of the highest graduate media-hire rates in the nation, with graduates involved in 450 nationally distributed films and over 700 television series. Students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment, travel to industry events like Sundance Film Festival, and benefit from unique partnerships including the Olympics.

Available Specializations / Concentrations
Audio ProductionFilm ProductionInstructional DesignMultimediaPerformanceProduction DesignScreenwritingTelevision & Video Production
Rankings & Recognition
  • one of the highest graduate media-hire rates in the nation
#4

Centre College

Danville, KY โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $50,250 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 12 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 54%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 44.9 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 12 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 44.9 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (12 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,230), and selectivity (54% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

Centre's Computer Science program combines technical expertise in areas like AI and software design with hands-on projects in dedicated lab spaces, while developing teamwork, creativity, and communication skills through close collaboration with faculty. The program offers experiential learning opportunities including building AI models, designing video games, and exploring bioinformatics to tackle real-world challenges.

Career Outcomes
  • Top Employers: Google, Epic Systems Software, Fidelity Investments, NIT Data Corporation
#5

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $11,436 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 22 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 40.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 22 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 40.1 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,230), and selectivity (97% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

No information about Western Kentucky University's Artificial Intelligence program found in the provided content.

$63,861
Starting Salary
$91,230
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
217
Annual Openings

Career Paths

Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in Kentucky with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$87,377
+23%

AI Research Scientist opportunities in Kentucky with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$86,428

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051
+35%

Data Scientist opportunities in Kentucky with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$95,139

NLP Engineer

SOC 15-2051
+23%

NLP Engineer opportunities in Kentucky with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$85,383

Computer Vision Engineer opportunities in Kentucky with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$84,630

Artificial Intelligence Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Kentucky if...
  • You want access to tech jobs in Louisville, Lexington, Covington
  • You're seeking lower cost of living (92.2% of US average)
  • You want to work at companies like Humana or Yum! Brands
  • You prefer Kentucky's quality of life
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Kentucky's 6)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Artificial Intelligence in Kentucky FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 6 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Artificial Intelligence degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

Kentucky-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024

Related Resources

Data Sources & Methodology

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Kentucky salary data

2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

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