Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

Graduates from this nursing program earn $62,552 in their first year—already behind Kentucky's median of $64,845 for associate nursing programs—but then see earnings drop to $54,851 by year four. This downward trajectory is unusual for nursing and puts this program in the bottom fifth nationally, even though the debt load of $18,523 stays manageable at a 0.30 ratio to first-year earnings.

The state comparison reveals the real concern: among Kentucky's 30 associate nursing programs, this falls right at the middle (40th percentile), meaning there are plenty of in-state alternatives with better outcomes. The top programs in Kentucky produce graduates earning $70,000-$76,000, suggesting something about this program's curriculum, clinical partnerships, or graduate placement isn't translating to strong career momentum. For a field where earnings typically grow as nurses gain experience and certifications, seeing a 12% decline should raise questions about whether graduates are finding the right positions or struggling with job placement support.

For parents, the math works in the short term—that first-year salary easily covers the debt—but the trajectory matters for long-term financial security. If your child is committed to staying in Kentucky for nursing school, look closely at programs like Morehead State or Sullivan University that deliver stronger four-year outcomes for similar or even lower debt levels.