Choosing the right college program can be a very challenging task. With so many different degrees and program types out there, it’s easy to feel lost. One of our favorite options for earning a degree is by taking your education online. By choosing an online degree, students are able to save money and create a much more flexible schedule. Below, you’ll find a ranking of our top nonprofit online colleges and universities in Kentucky as ranked by their tuition price per credit.
Ranking the Top Online Colleges in KY
#1. University of the Cumberlands
Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands is a private, Christian college. Established in 1889, University of the Cumberlands’ motto is “A Life More Abundant”. Originally known as the Williamsburg Institute, University of the Cumberlands was established by a group known as the Mount Zion Association. After a meeting two years prior, the group began planning an institution of higher learning that would serve the people of the mountains of Kentucky. By 1907, Williamsburg Institute had accumulated enough wealth that it was prepared to purchase the three main buildings that made up nearby Highland College. Moving into this new campus, Williamsburg Institute was ready to grow. Growing into this new campus, Williamsburg Institute was renamed to Cumberland College in 1913 to better reflect the ambitions of the institution. Focusing on adding more academic programs into its curriculum, Cumberland College officially began offering junior college courses in 1918. This change in curriculum led to further expansion. During the 1950s, Cumberland College added additional programs including Bachelor’s degree programs. Renamed to the University of the Cumberlands in 2005, the school is now home to a student body of almost 7,700 students.
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Home of the Patriots, University of the Cumberlands offers students a large selection of academic programs to select from. Students at the University of the Cumberlands can choose from over forty different undergraduate programs as well as dozens of graduate degree programs. A sizable selection of these programs is made available to students entirely online. By committing to online education, the University of the Cumberlands has earned its ranking among the top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. University of the Cumberlands is a private institution.
Accreditation: University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $199/credit
Click here for a list of University of the Cumberlands‘ online programs.
#2. Union College
Established in 1879, Union College is one of many private colleges in Kentucky. Located in Barbourville, Kentucky, Union College was first founded in close affiliation with the United Methodist Church. At the time, the people of Barbourville were concerned over the lack of an institution for higher learning in their area. To remedy this, they planned to band together as a town to amass the resources and wealth needed to found their own school. By the end of their planning, thirty-five citizens of Barbourville, along with the backing of the United Methodist Church, joined together to act as the stockholders of the new school they were planning to form. The vision for the school was to create an institution that would serve their community and beyond. Named Union College, the school welcomed its first class of students in 1879. Since its founding, Union College has acted as an anchor for the community of Barbourville. A very progressive town, Barbourville owes much of its forward-thinking to the founding of Union College. Since its inception, Union College has continued to expand its academic offerings in order to attract the brightest minds from all across the state of Kentucky. At the time of this writing, Union College enrolls over 1,200 students.
Students at Union College are afforded the opportunity to select from the school’s wide-ranging catalog of programs. At this time, Union College is offering dozens of undergraduate degrees as well as a number of graduate programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By allocating resources to online education, Union College has earned its ranking among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Union College is a private institution.
Accreditation: Union College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $345/credit
Click here for a list of Union College‘s online programs.
#3. Asbury University
With the motto “Learning and Religions”, Asbury University is a private, Christian university. Located in Wilmore, Kentucky, Asbury University was first established in 1890. Originally known as the Kentucky Holiness College, Asbury University was founded by John Wesley Hughes. A minister from Kentucky, John Wesley Hughes hoped that the Kentucky Holiness College would provide people in Wilmore and beyond with the opportunity for a higher education with a Christian foundation. The school was soon renamed to Asbury College. This name was chosen in order to honor Bishop Francis Asbury. Bishop Francis Asbury was a prominent figure in the Methodist Church and also served as one of the school’s earliest stewards. Helping to shape the school, Bishop Francis Asbury has helped to leave a lasting impression on the institution. Over time, Asbury College began to add additional degree programs to its curriculum, helping the school to grow and grow. Eventually adding Bachelor’s degree programs and then graduate courses to the curriculum, Asbury College grew to become a full-fledged university. Because of this, the school was renamed to Asbury University. Today, Asbury University is now home to over 1,800 students.
Asbury University offers its students many different academic programs from which to enroll in. Currently, students at Asbury University can select from over fifty different undergraduate programs at the school as well as dozens of graduate programs. Asbury University offers many of these programs to students entirely online, demonstrating their dedication to online learning, and helping them to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Asbury University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Asbury University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $399/credit
Click here for a list of Asbury University‘s online programs.
#4. Campbellsville University
A private university founded in association with the Baptist Church, Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Established in 1906, Campbellsville University’s history began as the Russell Creek Academy. A boys school, Russell Creek Academy was operated by the Russell Creek Baptist Association with the initial goal of providing young boys in the area with a religious education. Over time, the curriculum at the Russell Creek Academy expanded to offer a full four-year program. With this expansion came the opportunity for accreditation as a college. Wanting to advance the school beyond its humble beginnings, Russell Creek Academy sought accreditation and was renamed to Campbellsville Junior College. Continuing on this path of curriculum expansion, the Campbellsville Junior College soon added Bachelor’s degrees to its curriculum along with graduate programming. This led to the school eventually being renamed to Campbellsville University in order to best reflect the type of academic programs being offered at the school. With this increase in academic opportunity, Campbellsville University was able to attract some of Kentucky’s brightest minds. Today, Campbellsville University is home to almost 4,400 students.
Home of the Tigers, Campbellsville University currently maintains a large selection of academic programs from which students can choose to enroll in. At the time of this writing, Campbellsville University offers more than eighty different undergraduate programs to select from alongside a variety of other programs. Of these programs, over fifty of them are offered to students entirely online. With such a substantial online offering, Campbellsville University has easily ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Campbellsville University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ((SACSCOC).
Tuition: $399/credit
Click here for a list of Campbellsville University‘s online programs.
#5. Kentucky State University
A historically black university, Kentucky State University was first founded in 1886. With the motto “Inspiring Innovation. Growing Leaders. Advancing Kentucky.”, Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, Kentucky. Originally known as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, Kentucky State University’s original purpose was to train students who would then go on to work within the public education in Kentucky. This plan didn’t last very long. Soon after the school’s founding, the State Normal School for Colored Persons became a land-grant college after accepting money from the federal government. This led to a shift in the curriculum towards the study of agriculture and mechanical arts. Renamed to the Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons, Kentucky State University began to focus its curriculum towards these sciences. By 1926, the Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons had expanded its curriculum so much that it was renamed to Kentucky State Industrial College for Colored Persons. Experiencing a series of additional name changes, the school was finally renamed to Kentucky State University in 1972. Now, Kentucky State University is one of the state’s most prominent institutions of higher learning and enrolls over 1,600 students.
Home of the Thorobreds and Thorobrettes, Kentucky State University maintains a large catalog of academic programs from which students can select from. Currently, students at Kentucky State University can choose from over fifty different undergraduate programs as well as a half-dozen graduate programs. Kentucky State University also makes a large amount of these programs available to students entirely online. With this large online offering, Kentucky State University has earned a place among the top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Kentucky State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Kentucky State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $400/credit
Click here for a list of Kentucky State University‘s online programs.
#6. Eastern Kentucky University
Located in Richmond, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University is a public research university. Established in 1874, Eastern Kentucky University was first established as Central University. In the school’s earliest years, Central University struggled with financial issues. By 1901, Central University was forced to merge with the nearby Centre College. Five years later, the State of Kentucky called for the establishment of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1. The plan for this school was to create an institution that would train teachers that would in turn work within the state’s growing public education system. It was decided that Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1. would take over the campus of what was once Center University. Initially only providing teacher training, Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1. quickly added Bachelor’s degrees in education into its curriculum. Because of this change, the school was renamed to Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College in 1922. This expansion into college programming led to the addition of other degree programs. Renamed Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College in 1930, the school’s name was then shortened to Kentucky State College in 1948. Eventually adding graduate programs to their offerings, the school was renamed to Eastern Kentucky University. Now, the school is home to almost 17,000 students.
With the motto “Where Students and Learning Come First”, Eastern Kentucky University has steadily grown to offer a large number of degree programs to its students. At the time of this writing, students at Eastern Kentucky University can choose from over dozens upon dozens of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Of those programs, over forty of them are offered to students entirely online. Because of this commitment to online learning, Eastern Kentucky University has placed among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $409/credit
Click here for a list of Eastern Kentucky University‘s online programs.
#7. Brescia University
Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, Brescia University is a private, Catholic university. Established in 1925, Brescia University was originally established as Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women. Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph at Maple Mount, the group hoped that they would create more opportunity for women in the area to gain a higher education. Focusing on this underserved population, Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women quickly established a positive reputation for the quality of its educational programming. After much demand, Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women began to offer coeducational courses to students off-campus. These co-educational facilities proved to be very popular and were consolidated into the main school following the end of World War II. In 1951, the school’s name was changed from Mount Saint Joseph Junior College to Brescia College. This name was chosen to honor the city of Brescia, Italy from which Saint Angela Merci, the founder of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph at Maple Mount, was from. In 1998, the school was renamed to Brescia University after adding graduate programming to its offerings.
Home to almost 1,300 students, Brescia University currently offers its students a large catalog of academic programs from which to choose from. Today, students at Brescia University can select from over fifty undergraduate programs as well as a number of graduate degrees. Of these programs, around a dozen are made available to students entirely online helping Brescia University to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Brescia University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Brescia University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $425/credit
Click here for a list of Brescia University‘s online programs.
#8. Midway University
Established in 1847, Midway University is a private university located in Midway, Kentucky. Originally established as the Kentucky Female Orphan School, Midway University primarily focused on providing its students the opportunity for career and technical education. Wanting to help women who had lost their family, the Kentucky Female Orphan School worked to teach these women practical skills that they could use to further their well-being and support themselves. Over time, this curriculum began to shift towards a more traditional liberal arts education. Beginning to offer high school-level courses, the Kentucky Female Orphan School then moved to offer junior college courses and finally full four-year Bachelor’s degrees. It is with this curriculum change that the school was renamed to Midway College. Continuing to only serve women, Midway College worked to empower women throughout Kentucky with the knowledge and education they needed to succeed. It wasn’t until 2015 when the school had begun to offer students graduate degree programs that the school was renamed to Midway University and began to admit male students into its programs. Today, Midway University has grown to enroll nearly 1,700 students.
Students at Midway University are able to select from a large catalog of academic programs offered at the school. At this time, Midway University is offering over twenty-five undergraduate programs as well as a number of graduate degrees. A selection of these programs is also made available to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, Midway University has secured its place among our top online colleges and universities in Kentucky. Midway University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Midway University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $425/credit
Click here for a list of Midway University‘s online programs.
#9. Northern Kentucky University
A public university, Northern Kentucky University was first established in 1968. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University was originally founded as an extension center of the University of Kentucky. Known as the UK Northern Extension Center, Northern Kentucky University was first operational in 1948. For the following twenty years, the school worked to provide students with access to the University of Kentucky’s programming in Covington, Kentucky. The UK Northern Extension Center became popular very quickly and was attracting students from across the state. By 1968 it had become clear that the school had grown too large to continue operating as an extension campus. It was decided that the UK Northern Extension Center was to be spun off into its own institution known as Northern Kentucky State College. With this change, Northern Kentucky State College was able to grant students four-year degrees. After merging with a nearby law school, Northern Kentucky State College was relocated from Covington, Kentucky to Highland Heights. Northern Kentucky State College was renamed Northern Kentucky University in 1976. Now, Northern Kentucky University is home to almost 15,000 students.
Students at Northern Kentucky University are able to choose from many different academic programs at the school. At the time of this writing, Northern Kentucky University is offering its students almost 100 different undegraduate and graduate degree programs from which to enroll in. A large number of these programs are also made avaialble to students entirely online. By being committed to online learning, Northern Kentucky University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky Universitiy is a public institution.
Accreditation: Northern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $437/credit
Click here for a list of Northern Kentucky University‘s online programs.
#10. Murray State University
Located in Murray, Kentucky, Murray State University is a public university. Established in 1922, Murray State University was established as part of a bill calling for the creation of two new normal schools. Wanting to expand the number of trained teaching professionals, the State of Kentucky established Murray State University as the Murray State Normal School. Designed to provide potential teachers with the training they’d need to work within the public education system in the state, Murray State Normal School began educating its first class of students in 1923. Three years after opening its doors to students, Murray State Normal School started offering students four-year degree programs. This led to the school being renamed to Murray State Normal School and Teachers College. After adding Bachelor’s degrees in Education to the curriculum, Murray State Normal School and Teachers College started expanding its offerings beyond education. Adding more and more programs to its catalog, the school was renamed to Murray State Teachers College and then eventually Murray State College in 1948. Now known as Murray State University, the school enrolls a student body of almost 10,500 students.
Home of the Racers, Murray State University now offers a large selection of academic programs from which students can choose to enroll in. At this time, students at Murray State University can enroll in over sixty Bachelor’s degrees, and over forty Master’s programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By dedicating resources to online education, Murray State University has earned its ranking among the top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Murray State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Murray State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $442/credit
Click here for a list of Murray State University‘s online programs.
#11. Kentucky Wesleyan College
With the motto “Find Yourself”, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, Methodist college. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, Kentucky Wesleyan Colege was first founded in 1858. Initially located in Millersburg, Kentucky, Kentucky Wesleyan College was established by the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After recently entering the area, the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church wanted to establish a school that would serve the members of its religious community. In the beginning, the school only provided training in the ministry in order to prepare students to work within the Methodist Episcopal Church. However, over time the curriculum began to expand to include traditional liberal arts classes and business education. By 1890, it was decided that the school was to be relocated to Winchester. After moving to Winchester, Kentucky Wesleyan College began to admit women into its academic programming. Residing in Winchester for just over sixty years, Kentucky Wesleyan College was relocated to its current location in Owensboro in 1961. This move allowed Kentucky Wesleyan College to continue to grow its academic offerings and its student body. Today, Kentucky Wesleyan College enrolls around 800 students.
At this time, students at Kentucky Wesleyan College can select from many different academic programs offered by the school. Kentucky Wesleyan College offers almost thirty different undergraduate degree programs from which to enroll. Many of these programs are also offered online. By allocating resources to online education, Kentucky Wesleyan College has ranked among the top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private institution.
Accreditation: Kentucky Wesleyan College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $455/credit
Click here for a list of Kentucky Wesleyan College‘s online programs.
#12. Lindsey Wilson College
Established in 1903, Lindsey Wilson College is a private college. Located in Columbia, Kentucky, Lindsey Wilson College’s current motto is “Every Student, Every Day”. Founded in affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal Church, Lindsey Wilson College was first opened as the Lindsey Wilson Training School. The school was named after Catherine Wilson’s stepson who had tragically passed away. The Lindsey Wilson Training School primarily focused on providing education to young students. At the time, Lindsey Wilson Training School was partnered with Vanderbilt University and worked to prepare students to enter into their higher education programming. By 1923, the Lindsey Wilson Training School began incorporating junior college-level courses into its own curriculum. This resulted in the school being renamed to Lindsey Wilson College. With the popularity of the junior college courses being unmatched, Lindsey Wilson College started expanding its academic offerings. By 1986, Lindsey Wilson College was offering a number of Bachelor’s degree programs. In the 1990s, Lindsey Wilson College began to offer students Master’s programs. Today, Lindsey Wilson College enrolls almost 2,600 students.
Home of the Blue and White, Lindsey Wilson College now offers many different academic programs to its students. At this time, students at Lindsey Wilson College can select from over twenty-five Bachelor’s degrees and three different Master’s programs. A number of these programs are also made available to students entirely online. Lindsey Wilson College has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky due to its commitment to online learning. Lindsey Wilson College is a private institution.
Accreditation: Lindsey Wilson College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $470/credit
Click here for a list of Lindsey Wilson College‘s online programs.
#13. University of Kentucky
With the motto “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, the University of Kentucky is a public research university. Established in 1865, the University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky. Originally known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky was established as one of the state’s first land-grant schools. At the time, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky had partnered with the already established Kentucky University. However, this partnership was not longlasting. In 1878, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky separated from Kentucky University and continued on as its own independent institution. Operating independently, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky began working towards growing its academic programming and student body. In 1880, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky began admitting women into its academic programs. Always working to be on the cutting edge of education, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky continued to grow. Eventually renamed the University of Kentucky, the school has now grown to become the largest university in the entire state of Kentucky. Today, the University of Kentucky is home to a student body of almost 31,000 students.
The University of Kentucky now offers students a large catalog ofe academic programs from which to enroll in. At the time of this writing, students are able to select from over ninety Bachelor’s degrees, almost 100 Master’s programs and over sixty-five doctoral programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, the University of Kentucky has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. University of Kentucky is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Kentucky is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $477/credit
Click here for a list of University of Kentucky‘s online programs.
#14. University of Louisville
Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the University of Louisville is a public university. Part of the Kentucky state university system, the University of Louisville was first established in 1798. At the time of its establishment, the University of Louisville was the only university west of the Allegheny Mountains and the first public university that was city-owned. While officially chartered in 1798, the University of Louisville didn’t open its doors until 1813. Known as the Jefferson Seminary, the University of Louisville first offered high school-level courses to its students. Due to financial problems, the Jefferson Seminary was forced to close in 1829. Years later, the school was reopened as the Lousiville Medical Institute alongside the Louisville Collegiate Institute and a law school. These three institutions were later consolidated in 1846 into one institution known as the University of Louisville. Over the coming decades, the University of Louisville slowly added additional degree programs to its curriculum. Another major change for the University of Louisville came in 1923 when it purchased its campus at Belknap. Continuing to expand, the University of Louisville has grown into one of the state’s premier schools.
Home to over 22,600 students, the University of Louisville offers students many different academic programs from which to enroll in. Currently, students at the University of Louisville can choose from over seventy different Bachelor’s degrees as well as almost eighty Master’s and twenty-five doctorates. A large portion of these programs aismade aavailableto students entirely online. By committing to online learning, the University of Louisville has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. University of Louisville is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $497/credit
Click here for a list of University of Louisville‘s online programs.
#15. Western Kentucky University
With the motto “The Spirit makes the Master Life more life”, Western Kentucky University is a public university. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Kentucky University was first established in 1906, however, the school’s history dates back prior to then. Dating back all the way to 1876, the earliest roots of Western Kentucky University can be found in the Glasgow Normal School and Business College. Having moved to Bowling Green in 1884, the Glasgow Normal School and Business College was then renamed to Southern Normal School and Business College. Around this same time, a women-only school opened up called Potter College. This school would later be purchased by the State of Kentucky to act as the campus for what would become Western Kentucky University. In 1906, the Southern Normal School and Business College was sold and the school’s president was selected to head up the newly established Western Kentucky State Normal School. Providing teacher training to students who would go on to work in the state’s public education system, Western Kentucky State Normal School slowly transformed into Western Kentucky University. Steadily growing its academic offerings and its student body, Western Kentucky University now enrolls over 20,000 students.
Western Kentucky University currently offers students a large catalog of academic programs from which to choose from. Currently, students at Western Kentucky University can enroll in over 170 different undergraduate programs as well as over 125 graduate programs. A significant amount of these programs are also made available to students entirely online. Because of this dedication to online learning, Western Kentucky University has ranked among the top online universities and colleges in Kentucky. Western Kentucky University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Western Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $530/credit
Click here for a list of Western Kentucky University‘s online programs.
#16. Morehead State University
Originally founded as the Columbia Bible School, Columbia International University is a private Christian university. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, Columbia International University operated as a bible school for students who were interested in learning more about Christianity and potentially entering the ministry. Mainly providing classes to the local mill workers, Columbia Bible School soon began to grow its popularity. By 1927, it was decided that Columbia Bible School would be converted into a college that would offer Bachelor’s degrees. Only offering a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, Columbia Bible School was renamed to Columbia Bible College and moved to its current location in Columbia. With ample space to grow, Columbia Bible College began to attract more and more students as it slowly expanded its curriculum to include a wider variety of academic programs. As the school continued on through the 20th century, it began to slowly shift its primary focus away from biblical studies to more contemporary academic topics. In 1994, the school was renamed to Columbia International University in order to better communicate to students the scope of academic offerings at the school. Today, Columbia International University enrolls just over 1,200 students.
Students at Columbia International University are able to select from a large amount of different academic programs offered at the school. Currently, Columbia International University offers over twenty different undergraduate programs as well as over a dozen different graduate programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students online. Because of the level of their commitment to online education, Columbia International University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in South Carolina. Columbia International University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Morehead State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $552/credit
Click here for a list of Morehead State University‘s online programs.
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