Kentucky's first HBCU, founded 1879, offering faith-based education with 550 students and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio.
Simmons College offers 15 degree programs spanning undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate programs include Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Arts, and Associate degrees across schools of Foundational Studies, Arts & Sciences, and Professional Studies. Top majors include Business, Psychology, and Music. Graduate programs include Master of Science in Medical Science (in partnership with Tiber Health), Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Organizational Development, and Master of Arts in Ministry. The college also offers non-degree certificates and diplomas in Christian Ministry Studies.
Located in downtown Louisville, the campus comprises 14 buildings and provides convenient access to entertainment, restaurants, and housing. The college is within a few hours' drive of major cities including Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Atlanta. Students benefit from personalized attention and one-on-one instruction. The college hosts a marching band and competes in men's and women's basketball, golf, and track and field through the NCCAA Division II Mid-East Region.
Founded in 1879 by the Kentucky State Convention of Colored Baptist Churches, Simmons was the first post-secondary institution dedicated to educating Black citizens in Kentucky. Under Dr. William J. Simmons' leadership (1880–1890), the school expanded to offer liberal arts, medical, law, business, music, and theological programs. The Great Depression forced a downsizing in 1930, but the college was revitalized in 2005 under President Dr. Kevin Cosby, who renamed it Simmons College of Kentucky and restored its commitment to general education alongside biblical training.
The college offers financial aid, scholarships, and tutoring & counseling services to support student success. Summer school options are available, with students able to take up to 9 credit hours for $1,849. The institution emphasizes a student-centered approach, with dedicated support for academic planning and career preparation.