Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of the Cumberlands

An estimated $26,750 in debt positions this nursing program above both Kentucky's typical burden ($23,010) and the national median ($20,751) for associate's degree nursing programs. When peer programs across Kentucky suggest first-year earnings around $64,845, that creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41—manageable but not exceptional for a field known for steady employment. With nearly half the students receiving Pell grants, that debt load matters more than it might elsewhere.

The earnings estimate deserves scrutiny. Kentucky's nursing programs show significant variation, with top performers like University of Pikeville placing graduates into jobs paying $76,570—nearly $12,000 more than what comparable programs suggest for Cumberlands. Even the state median trails the national figure by roughly $3,500, suggesting Kentucky nurses generally earn less than their counterparts elsewhere. For an associate's degree that typically takes two years, these numbers aren't alarming, but they're not competitive with the state's stronger programs either.

The practical math: if the estimates hold, graduates would allocate about 41% of their first year's gross income to debt—roughly five months of earnings. That's reasonable for nursing, where demand typically softens financial risk. But parents should recognize they're working with estimates drawn from similar programs, not this school's actual track record. The variation among Kentucky nursing programs suggests outcomes aren't guaranteed, and $26,750 in debt leaves less room for error than programs carrying the national median burden.