Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Pikeville
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of Pikeville graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Pikeville graduates earn $83k, placing them in the 79th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors 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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pikeville | $82,878 | — | $33,618 | 0.41 |
| Beckfield College-Florence | $83,033 | — | $49,805 | 0.60 |
| University of the Cumberlands | $81,012 | — | $29,400 | 0.36 |
| Kentucky Christian University | $76,970 | $70,627 | $27,750 | 0.36 |
| Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | $76,234 | $82,003 | $45,775 | 0.60 |
| Union Commonwealth University | $72,614 | — | $27,830 | 0.38 |
| National Median | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Kentucky
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Kentucky schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beckfield College-Florence Florence | $13,295 | $83,033 | $49,805 |
| University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg | $9,875 | $81,012 | $29,400 |
| Kentucky Christian University Grayson | $25,000 | $76,970 | $27,750 |
| Galen College of Nursing-Louisville Louisville | — | $76,234 | $45,775 |
| Union Commonwealth University Barbourville | $30,946 | $72,614 | $27,830 |
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.