Tuition & Costs
The amount you will pay as a KCTCS student depends on whether you're a resident of Kentucky and how many classes you take. Tuition is generally due before you begin classes, but our payment plan gives you the option of making payments over time. Additional charges may apply to courses depending on the specific course requirements and delivery method as well as supplementary course aide materials. Contact your local KCTCS college for a complete listing.
| Tuition Category | Cost Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
| Resident Students | $198/credit hour |
| Dual Credit Students | $99/credit hour |
| Nonresident Students | $270/credit hour |
| Online-Only Courses+ (all students) | $198/credit hour |
| Mandatory Fee* (all students) | $8/credit hour |
| Distance Learner Fee** | $20/credit hour |
What's With the ***?
Great question!
The first * is the KCTCS BuildSmart Investment for Kentucky Competitiveness fee. This
fee does not apply to Dual Credit Students.
+For students who are enrolled in online-only courses, the tuition is the same regardless
of your residency. Other fees, such as the mandatory fee and a distance learning course
fee of $20/credit hour still apply.
A full list of charges and fees is available.
Cost of Attendance 2026-2027
| Category | Living with Parents1 | Living Off-Campus | Living on Military Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Direct Costs | |||
| Estimated Tuition | $4,752 | $4,752 | $4,752 |
| Estimated Fees | $192 | $192 | $192 |
| Estimated Indirect Costs2 | |||
| Estimated Books/Supplies | $1,268 | $1,268 | $1,268 |
| Estimated Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $5,578 | $9,287 | $3,715 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses | $1,067 | $1,067 | $1,067 |
| Estimated Transportation | $2,699 | $2,699 | $2,699 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $58 | $58 | $58 |
| Estimated Licensure Expense3 | - | - | - |
| Total | $15,614 | $19,323 | $13,751 |
| Category | Living with Parents | Living Off-Campus | Living on Military Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Direct Costs | |||
| Estimated Tuition | $6,480 | $6,480 | $6,480 |
| Estimated Fees | $192 | $192 | $192 |
| Estimated Indirect Costs2 | |||
| Estimated Books/Supplies | $1,268 | $1,268 | $1,268 |
| Estimated Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $5,578 | $9,287 | $3,715 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses | $1,067 | $1,067 | $1,067 |
| Estimated Transportation | $2,699 | $2,699 | $2,699 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $58 | $58 | $58 |
| Estimated Licensure Expense3 | - | - | - |
| Total | $17,342 | $21,051 | $15,479 |
1 Cost of attendance estimates are based upon student's expected living arrangements
and assume full-time enrollment (12 credit hours each semester).
2 Estimated Indirect Costs are NOT amounts that will be charged to the student's account
at the college, but are average amounts that a student could expect to incur during
periods of enrollment.
3 Some programs of study prepare students for work in a profession that requires licensure
to be employed in your state. The cost of obtaining licensure varies by profession
and by the state in which the license is obtained. You can find a list of academic
programs leading to state licensure at Licensure Disclosures.
These are estimated values used to calculate eligibility for financial aid funds and are updated annually.
