Detailed Tuition and Charges
| 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 2025-2026
| Category | Living with Parents1 | Living Off-Campus | Living on Military Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Direct Costs | |||
| Estimated Tuition | $4,680 | $4,680 | $4,680 |
| Estimated Fees | $192 | $192 | $192 |
| Estimated Indirect Costs2 | |||
| Estimated Books/Supplies | $1,268 | $1,268 | $1,268 |
| Estimated Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $5,294 | $8,814 | $3,526 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses | $1,012 | $1,012 | $1,012 |
| Estimated Transportation | $2,590 | $2,590 | $2,590 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $54 | $54 | $54 |
| Estimated Licensure Expense3 | - | - | - |
| Total | $15,090 | $18,610 | $13,322 |
| 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) | $5,294 | $8,814 | $3,526 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses | $1,012 | $1,012 | $1,012 |
| Estimated Transportation | $2,590 | $2,590 | $2,590 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $54 | $54 | $54 |
| Estimated Licensure Expense3 | - | - | - |
| Total | $16,890 | $20,410 | $15,122 |
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.
Annually the KCTCS Office of Budget and Financial Planning will publish the list of
allowable charges and rates that apply to all KCTCS colleges. Changes to charges for
services to students are to be requested prior to implementation via the KCTCS Office
of Budget & Financial Planning, Any miscellaneous student charges not listed on the
attached schedule require prior approval of the KCTCS Office of Budget and Financial
Planning. The KCTCS Office of Budget and Financial Planning reserves the right to
correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, and to change or update this information
at any time.
Additional Charges
All charges listed in "Items Included in Standard Cost", but not limited to the list, are considered included in the single rate of cost of attendance listed in Tuition and Fees.
There is no additional charge for these items beyond what is listed at the KCTCS BOR approved tuition & charge rate provided the item is the initial items, or required number of items, required for attendance classes at the selected college.
For example: If a student is required to have a new ID each year, the initial issue of the ID each year must be provided at no charge. A charge may be assessed for a replacement.
- Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE)*
- Certificate Charge
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test*
- Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) Test*
- Diploma Charge
- Graduation Charge
- ID Badge (Initial Issue)
- Lab Charge
- Library/Media Access Charge
- Locker Charge
- Music Charge
- Proficiency Examination for Credit*
- TABE A Test*
- Technology Charge
- Transcript (1st copy)
*If used for placement at the time of entrance/registration -- defined as from first day of class through the last day to enter an organized class for that session. Credit awarded via the test credit process and will not appear on the grade report.
| Name | Rate & Measures |
|---|---|
| Application Charge, Student (International) | $25 |
| Consortium/transfer agreements where KCTCS students attend courses offered by other institutions but billed by KCTCS. | Cost Recovery |
| Customized Clinical or Lab Charge (for out of area clinical/lab sites - see notes page) | Cost Recovery |
| Customized Course and/or Testing Charge (see notes page) | Cost Recovery |
| Digital Content Charges | $25 - $1,750 |
| High School Student Textbook Rental | 3 year cost recovery of book price |
| Late Registration / Reinstatement Charge (see notes page) | $75 Per Occurrence |
| Live Work Shop Charge | $25 Per Project |
| Online Course Charge (see notes page) | $20 per Credit Hour |
| Pass-through charges (see notes page) | Cost Recovery |
| Portfolio Review for Assessment of College Credit | $75 Per Course |
| Wonderlic (Not part of Entrance/Placement)3 | $20 Per Occurrence |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| ACT/SAT Course Charge | Cost Recovery |
| ACT/SAT Test Charge*** | Cost Recovery |
| Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE)*** | $10 Per Occurrence |
| College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test Charge*** | Cost Recovery |
| National League of Nursing (NLN) Comprehensive Test for Graduation*** | $30-$35 based on NLN membership |
| National League of Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission Exam for RN Program*** | Cost Recovery |
| NOCTI Exams and other graduation exams | Cost Recovery |
| Proctored Tests: KCTCS classes (see notes page) | Tuition Sharing |
| Proctored Tests: KYVU and other proctored test for non-KCTCS classes (during regular scheduled hours of operation for the testing center)****** | $25 Per Test |
| Required Licensure/Certification/Verification for a field of work. (see notes page)**** | Cost Recovery |
| Special Examination for Credit -- Practical Exam***** | $40 Per Occurrence |
| Special Examination for Credit -- Written Exam***** | $20 Per Occurrence |
| Sylvan***** | Cost Recovery |
| Testing - Retakes of any test | Cost Recovery |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Facility Sponsored Students | $200 Course Fee |
| KCTCS Non-Facility Sponsored Students | Regular Tuition Rate per Credit Hour |
| KNAT Testing Online Payment Convenience Charge | 2.95% of total transaction |
| Medication Aide Testing | $50 |
| Medication Aide Training | Cost Recovery |
| Methods of Instruction Course for Nurse Aide Instructors | $250 |
| Nurse Aide Performance Test | $95 |
| Nurse Aide Written Test | $40 |
| Oral Nurse Aide-Written Test | $55 |
See section 7.9 of the Business Procedures for more information.
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| ID Badge Replacement | $10 Per Replacement |
| ID Badge Specialty Badge (for clinicals etc.) | Cost Recovery |
| Identity Verification for On-line Courses | |
| International Travel Insurance (students studying abroad) | Cost Recovery |
| Liability Insurance (Health and Personal services students) | $11 per Term |
| Parking Charge | $25 per term |
| Personal Safety Equipment (Safety glasses, radiation badges, etc.) | Make available through bookstore OR if bookstore cannot carry, the college can make them available at cost up to + 15% |
| Security Charge - Bluegrass | $40 |
| Security Charge - Gateway | $40 |
| Security Charge - Jefferson | $40 |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Childcare Services | Cost Recovery |
| SGA Voluntary Activity Charge | Cost Recovery |
| Tickets (Entertainment) | Face Value |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Copier Services | Cost Recovery |
| Diploma/Credential Replacement | $20 Per Occurrence |
| Diploma/Credential Special Order | Up to $35 Per Occurrence |
| Transcript (Additional Copies) | $5 Per Occurrence |
| Transcript (Faxed) | $10 Per Occurrence |
| Transcript (On Demand) | $7 Per Occurrence |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Payment Plan- Past Due- Service Charge | $30-$50 per term |
| Payment Plan Service Charge | $30-$50 per term |
| Returned Check Charge | $50 Per Occurrence or fee amount as assessed by external collection agency |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Damage Charge - for repair, rebinding, or replacement as appropriate | Cost Recovery |
| Library Book Late Charge | $0.10 Per Day, $10 Maximum Fine |
| Library Video Late Charge | $1 per day |
| Lost Books/Video/Equipment/Devices/etc. Charge | Replacement Cost |
| Lost Library Card | $3 per occurrence |
| Parking Violation - Parking Permit Replacement | $10 per Occurrence |
| Reserved Item, Loan in Days | $1 per Day, $10 Maximum Fine |
| Reserved Item, Loan in Hours | $0.25 per Hour, $10 Maximum Fine |
| Smoking Ban Violation | $5 |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Legislated Fines/Fees/Charges | As prescribed |
| Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) | $125 |
| International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Test (IFSAC) | $50-$300 |
| Name | Rate & Measures | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Application Charge, Student (International) | $25 | |
| Consortium/transfer agreements where KCTCS students attend courses offered by other institutions but billed by KCTCS. | Cost Recovery | |
| Customized Clinical or Lab Charge (for out of area clinical/lab sites - see notes page) | Cost Recovery | Justification for a customized Clinical/Lab charge shall be that the clinical or lab location that is out of the normal service range of the college and requires a student/instructor ratio less than the normal ratio for that clinical or lab. The course charge shall recover up to the additional cost for the customized course. Example:A Learn on Demand nursing program is offered to students throughout the state but its only regularly arranged clinical sites are within the normal service range of the college. If the student elects to complete the clinical potion of the training in his/her location, the delivering college may make arrangements to offer a clinical site close to that student. The additional cost may be charged to the student for the customized lab. The student shall be given the option of completing the clinicals at one of the |
| Customized Course and/or Testing Charge (see notes page) | Cost Recovery | Justification for a customized course charge may include customization of content, place, or delivery. The service charge will vary with the market for courses that are customized to specific needs. These courses may include but are not limited to courses for the North American Racing Academy (NARA), Microsoft Certified, and Customized Industry Training. Extraordinary cost in delivery of courses may also be considered for customized course charges |
| Digital Content Charges | $25 - $1,750 | Digital Content: Students may opt out of the Digital Content charge by submitting a written request to the college Bursar’s Office. Student must opt out each term. |
| High School Student Textbook Rental | 3 year cost recovery of book price | |
| Late Registration / Reinstatement Charge (see notes page) | $75 Per Occurrence | A charge for late registration, and/or for re-instatement after cancellation for nonpayment of tuition and fees. |
| Live Work Shop Charge | $25 Per Project | |
| Online Course Charge (see notes page) | $20 per Credit Hour | A charge to cover technology, infrastructure, and additional costs associated with online course offerings. Online Courses are identified with the following instruction modes. BW – Online & Open to All Students , LC – Online w/Set Meeting Time, VL (LoD) – Online-Self Select Start Date, BL – Online w/Possible Campus Visit, OI - Online Independent Study |
| Pass-through charges (see notes page) | Cost Recovery | Each pass-through charge must be approved in advance by the KCTCS System Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Supporting documentation should be submitted with the request. This charge is for third party contracts, not for services provided directly by the college. The college may charge the student the direct cost plus a 10% administration charge. Examples: 1. A clinical site requires the students to be immunized and the college arranges with a third party to provide the immunization to the students and bills the college for the service. The college may assess the student. 2. A degree program requires a specific paid library service. The service bills the college. The college may assess the student. |
| Portfolio Review for Assessment of College Credit | $75 Per Course | |
| Wonderlic (Not part of Entrance/Placement)3 | $20 Per Occurrence |
| Name | Rates & Measures | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| ACT/SAT Course Charge | Cost Recovery | Service charge for ACT/SAT test preparation courses. |
| ACT/SAT Test Charge*** | Cost Recovery | Service charge for ACT/SAT test. The charge is at the standard rate published by ACT/SAT. |
| Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE)*** | $10 Per Occurrence | |
| College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Test Charge*** | Cost Recovery | |
| National League of Nursing (NLN) Comprehensive Test for Graduation*** | $30-$35 based on NLN membership | |
| National League of Nursing (NLN) Pre-admission Exam for RN Program*** | Cost Recovery | |
| NOCTI Exams and other graduation exams | Cost Recovery | |
| Proctored Tests: KCTCS classes (see notes page) | Tuition Sharing | If a student takes a proctored test required by a KCTCS course at a KCTCS Assessment center, and if the test is taken during the normal operating hours (as posted) for that Assessment Center, the student may not be charged for that test. However, the Assessment Center may charge the Academic department requiring the proctored test through a journal process. |
| Proctored Tests: KYVU and other proctored test for non-KCTCS classes (during regular scheduled hours of operation for the testing center)****** | $25 Per Test | |
| Required Licensure/Certification/Verification for a field of work. (see notes page)**** | Cost Recovery | Charges for licensure/certification exams, background checks, and etc., related to gaining qualifications to practice and/or perform a type of work. The charge is per occurrence. Examples include: Background Checks, Medical Education Development Services (MEDS), Health Education System Incorporated (HESI), and School of Nursing Learning System (SNLS), etc. Items used as study guides/aides are to be purchased through the local college bookstore and administered by the department |
| Special Examination for Credit -- Practical Exam***** | $40 Per Occurrence | |
| Special Examination for Credit -- Written Exam***** | $20 Per Occurrence | |
| Sylvan***** | Cost Recovery | |
| Testing - Retakes of any test | Cost Recovery |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Facility Sponsored Students | $200 Course Fee |
| KCTCS Non-Facility Sponsored Students | Regular Tuition Rate per Credit Hour |
| KNAT Testing Online Payment Convenience Charge | 2.95% of total transaction |
| Medication Aide Testing | $50 |
| Medication Aide Training | Cost Recovery |
| Methods of Instruction Course for Nurse Aide Instructors | $250 |
| Nurse Aide Performance Test | $95 |
| Nurse Aide Written Test | $40 |
| Oral Nurse Aide-Written Test | $55 |
See section 7.9 of the Business Procedures for more information.
| Name | Rates & Measures | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| ID Badge Replacement | $10 Per Replacement | |
| ID Badge Specialty Badge (for clinicals etc.) | Cost Recovery | |
| Identity Verification for On-line Courses | ||
| International Travel Insurance (students studying abroad) | Cost Recovery | |
| Liability Insurance (Health and Personal services students) | $11 per Term | $11 per term, required for health related programs, Human Services and Early Childhood Development programs. |
| Parking Charge | $25 per term | |
| Personal Safety Equipment (Safety glasses, radiation badges, etc.) | Make available through bookstore OR if bookstore cannot carry, the college can make them available at cost up to + 15% | |
| Security Charge - Bluegrass | $40 | |
| Security Charge - Gateway | $40 | |
| Security Charge - Jefferson | $40 |
| Name | Rates & Measures | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Services | Cost Recovery | Market rate. |
| SGA Voluntary Activity Charge | Cost Recovery | |
| Tickets (Entertainment) | Face Value | Face value of the event; including college theatrical productions, concerts, etc. |
| Name | Rates & Measures | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Copier Services | Cost Recovery | |
| Diploma/Credential Replacement | $20 Per Occurrence | |
| Diploma/Credential Special Order | Up to $35 Per Occurrence | |
| Transcript (Additional Copies) | $5 Per Occurrence | One transcript free with graduation. Thereafter, charges for additional transcript |
| Transcript (Faxed) | $10 Per Occurrence | |
| Transcript (On Demand) | $7 Per Occurrence | Copies are per occurrence. Faxed and on demand transcripts are per occurrence. |
| Name | Rates & Measures | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Plan- Past Due- Service Charge | $30-$50 per term | |
| Payment Plan Service Charge | $30-$50 per term | |
| Returned Check Charge | $50 Per Occurrence or fee amount as assessed by external collection agency | Handling charge for checks returned to the college for insufficient funds. |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Damage Charge - for repair, rebinding, or replacement as appropriate | Cost Recovery |
| Library Book Late Charge | $0.10 Per Day, $10 Maximum Fine |
| Library Video Late Charge | $1 per day |
| Lost Books/Video/Equipment/Devices/etc. Charge | Replacement Cost |
| Lost Library Card | $3 per occurrence |
| Parking Violation - Parking Permit Replacement | $10 per Occurrence |
| Reserved Item, Loan in Days | $1 per Day, $10 Maximum Fine |
| Reserved Item, Loan in Hours | $0.25 per Hour, $10 Maximum Fine |
| Smoking Ban Violation | $5 |
| Name | Rates & Measures |
|---|---|
| Legislated Fines/Fees/Charges | As prescribed |
| Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) | $125 |
| International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Test (IFSAC) | $50-$300 |
***Testing Services such as, but not limited to, ACT, SAT, CLEP, GED, etc. must be coordinated through the college's business office to ensure presenters have appropriate authorization, college access and security, liability insurance, cash handling procedure training.
****Medical Education Development Services (MEDS), Health Education System Incorporated (HESI), and School of Nursing Learning System (SNLS), etc. used as study guides/aides are to be purchased through the local college bookstore and administered by the department.
*****Course credit awarded via the test credit process, e.g., no grade will appear on the grade report.
******KCTCS students are not charged for proctored exams if it is a KCTCS course. The KCTCS college providing the proctoring service should have an agreement with the offering college (who has the tuition revenue) to share in the tuition revenue. The revenue should be transferred via journal entry.
