(SmartAsset) – SmartAsset has released their annual Best Value Colleges list for the state of Kentucky.
The University of Kentucky leads the state this year, marking the fourth time in five years the school has been number 1 in Kentucky. Top performing schools ranked as a result of their performance in categories including scholarships provided, starting salary, tuition, living costs, and retention rate.
Here is a complete list of schools:
| Rank | School | City | Avg. Scholarships and Grants | Avg. Starting Salary | College Tuition* | Student Living Costs | Student Retention Rate | College Education Value Index |
| 1 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | $8,250 | $50,500 | $11,484 | $16,444 | 83% | 35.95 |
| 2 | Centre College | Danville, KY | $26,184 | $48,900 | $39,300 | $13,160 | 91% | 35.47 |
| 3 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY | $8,769 | $48,800 | $11,264 | $14,762 | 81% | 35.06 |
| 4 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | $7,985 | $48,000 | $9,384 | $12,826 | 73% | 33.65 |
| 5 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | $7,911 | $44,800 | $8,868 | $12,466 | 73% | 29.00 |
| 6 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | $7,176 | $44,700 | $9,912 | $10,610 | 70% | 28.70 |
| 7 | Murray State University | Murray, KY | $7,637 | $43,900 | $8,400 | $13,372 | 77% | 28.06 |
| 8 | Transylvania University | Lexington, KY | $21,960 | $47,000 | $35,830 | $12,960 | 82% | 27.77 |
| 9 | Morehead State University | Morehead, KY | $8,335 | $41,200 | $8,496 | $12,782 | 72% | 22.65 |
| 10 | Bellarmine University | Louisville, KY | $28,601 | $47,600 | $39,750 | $18,044 | 72% | 20.32 |
