Discover the 5 Largest College Campuses in Kentucky

Being able to get in steps between classes is a great way to keep your sanity and get in a nice workout. It’s also a great time to sit back and enjoy scenery you otherwise might not notice. Going to school in Kentucky means you’re going to a school with lots of vibrant colors and gorgeous scenery. In another article, we talked about the most beautiful college campus in Kentucky being the University of Louisville. Unfortunately, the camps there doesn’t crack the list of the largest. These are the five largest campuses in Kentucky, by acreage.

Northern Kentucky University — 425 Acres

We begin our list in Highland Heights, Kentucky with Northern Kentucky University. This name is appropriate for the university, as it sits at one of the highest points in Kentucky, about 15 minutes away from downtown Cincinnati. You can find many things to do on the campuses 425 acres of land. The school first opened doors in 1968 and currently is home to more than 15,000 students. The school is home to many sports teams who participate in the Horizon League and are nicknamed the Norse. George Clooney was once a student at Northern Kentucky University studying journalism. Another alumni, Gary Webb, won a Pulitzer-Prize for covering the Loma Prieta Earthquake. He’s also known for his “Dark Alliance” series which talks about the crack cocaine epidemic.

Kentucky State University — 882 Acres

Located in Frankfurt, Kentucky, Kentucky State is a public historically black land-grant university. The university was founded in 1886, and is the second-oldest state-sponsored university in Kentucky. There are currently more than 1,700 students attending school here. The campus sits on 882 acres of land and is only two miles away from the state capitol building of Kentucky. Athletically, the Kentucky State Thorobreds compete in the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The band, the Mighty Marching Thorobreds, is one of the largest organizations for students on campus. The band is known for putting on amazing performances during the Battle of the Bands in Atlanta. Some of the former students who have attended school here include Whitney Young, one of the most influential civil rights leaders, and Luska Twyman, the first African American mayor of a Kentucky city.

Eastern Kentucky University — 892 Acres

Richmond, Kentucky is home to the third largest Kentucky campus, Eastern Kentucky University. More than 14,000 students call the campuses 892 acres home. The university was first founded in 1874, but had troubles with enrollment and financials since it didn’t get help from the state. In 1906, everything changed when they became a state school. They were first known for being a teacher’s college but has since expanded its degree options. The Eastern Kentucky Colonels compete in the ASUN Conference for athletics. Some of the famous alumni include Sam Champion, one of the hosts of Good Morning America, and Dan Patrick, one of the most iconic figures in sports media.

University of Kentucky — 918 Acres

Over 32,000 students found their way to Lexington, Kentucky and the University of Kentucky. Coming in second place, the University of Kentucky has 918 acres of area to take in. This was the first state-supported opportunity for higher education in the state of Kentucky, starting back in 1866. The University of Kentucky is currently the largest in terms of student size in the state. The Kentucky Wildcats have one of the most successful basketball traditions of any school in the nation, and are one of the “Blue Bloods” along with the University of Kansas, the University of North Carolina, and Duke University. Along with its athletics, there have been two Nobel Prize winners who have attended the university. William Lipscomb won the 1976 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Thomas Hunt Morgan won the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The University of Kentucky is one of the best academic schools in the United States, while also having a lot of area to walk around.

Morehead State University — 1,490 Acres

The rural campus of Morehead State University takes the top spot with 1,490 acres of land in Kentucky. Morehead State was first established in 1887 and is currently home to almost 8,900 students. The city of Morehead, Kentucky is two hours away from both Cincinnati and Louisville. The campus sits amongst some of the most amazing scenery and views you’ll find throughout the state. There have been many famous alumni, including Hall of Fame quarterback Phil Simms and Chuck Woolery, one of the former hosts of Wheel of Fortune.