Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Pikeville
Bachelor's Degree
upike.eduAnalysis
University of Pikeville nursing graduates earn $82,878 in their first year—about $12,000 above Kentucky's median for nursing programs and solidly in the top quarter nationally. That's particularly impressive given that 40% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program successfully serves lower-income students while delivering strong outcomes. Among Kentucky's 23 nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only heavyweights like Beckfield College-Florence and University of the Cumberlands.
The debt picture looks manageable at $33,618, yielding a 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. While that's above both state and national medians for nursing debt, graduates earn enough in year one to make monthly payments workable. The program appears to invest meaningfully in clinical preparation, and students are paying for that investment through slightly higher borrowing.
The caveat worth noting: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual experiences may vary more than at larger programs. But the fundamentals suggest Pikeville delivers strong value—graduates enter a high-demand field with earnings that comfortably exceed their debt burden and beat most in-state alternatives.
Where University of Pikeville Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Pikeville graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of PikevillePikeville | $24,150 | $82,878 | — | $33,618 | 0.41 |
 Beckfield College-FlorenceFlorence | $13,295 | $83,033 | — | $49,805 | 0.60 |
 University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg | $9,875 | $81,012 | — | $29,400 | 0.36 |
 Kentucky Christian UniversityGrayson | $25,000 | $76,970 | $70,627 | $27,750 | 0.36 |
 Galen College of Nursing-LouisvilleLouisville | — | $76,234 | $82,003 | $45,775 | 0.60 |
 Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville | $30,946 | $72,614 | — | $27,830 | 0.38 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Pikeville, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.