| Public university | City | County | Instructional staff (FTE) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | Lexington | Fayette County | 1,946.33 | Official site |
| University of Louisville | Louisville | Jefferson County | 1,571.67 | Official site |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | Warren County | 730 | Official site |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Madison County | 667.33 | Official site |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | Campbell County | 666.33 | Official site |
| Murray State University | Murray | Calloway County | 474 | Official site |
| Morehead State University | Morehead | Rowan County | 291 | Official site |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort | Franklin County | 117.67 | Official site |
Largest first by instructional staff (FTE), as each employer reports it to its federal registry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2025–26 institutional characteristics and fall 2024 human resources. Data captured October 2, 2026.
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