Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College's nursing assistant program sits near the bottom of Kentucky options, with $27,051 first-year earnings placing it in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's $4,800 below the state median and nearly $20,000 below what graduates earn at the state's top-performing programs. Nationally, the picture is starker—this program ranks in the 5th percentile, with earnings roughly $17,000 below the typical nursing assistant certificate.

The low debt load of $6,500 offers some consolation, well below both state and national averages. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, graduates should be able to manage their payments without severe financial strain. However, the combination of well-below-average earnings and a debt level that still ranks in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning higher than most programs) suggests the institution's cost structure doesn't align well with graduate outcomes.

For families in southeastern Kentucky where healthcare job opportunities may be limited, this program provides accessible entry to nursing. But parents should know their graduate will likely start at a significant earnings disadvantage compared to other Kentucky programs. If proximity isn't a binding constraint, programs like Hopkinsville Community College deliver nearly $10,000 more in first-year earnings, making a commute or relocation potentially worthwhile for better long-term financial prospects.