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

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College's nursing program delivers one significant advantage: graduates leave with just $11,729 in debt—half the state median and $9,000 below the national average. For a region where 40% of students receive Pell grants, this accessibility matters. First-year earnings of $61,155 provide a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19, meaning graduates can realistically pay off loans within months rather than years.

The tradeoff comes in earning power. At the 40th percentile among Kentucky nursing programs, graduates earn about $3,700 less annually than the state median—and nearly $15,000 less than nurses from the University of Pikeville or American National University-Pikeville. More concerning is the downward trajectory: earnings dip to $57,376 by year four, suggesting graduates may face challenges advancing beyond entry-level positions. Whether this reflects limited local opportunities in Cumberland or weaker clinical preparation is worth investigating during campus visits.

For families prioritizing minimal debt and immediate employability in rural eastern Kentucky, this program achieves its core mission—getting graduates working as RNs quickly without burdensome loans. However, students with strong academic records and geographic flexibility might find that investing in programs at Morehead State or University of Pikeville, despite higher initial costs, provides better long-term earning potential and career advancement opportunities.