Ashland Community and Technical College: $4,656 Tuition

$4,656Tuition

1,566Students

59%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,504Earnings

#2 in KentuckyPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Ashland Community and Technical College

Ashland Community and Technical College serves eastern Kentucky with career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment. The college enrolls 1,566 students in a small city setting along the Ohio River. Founded in 1938, ACTC has built a reputation for workforce development and technical training that meets regional industry needs. Women make up 60.54% of students, reflecting strong enrollment in healthcare and business programs.

Students pay an average net price of $4,907 after financial aid, making this one of Kentucky's most affordable college options. Graduates earn a median salary of $34,504 ten years after enrollment. The typical student borrows $10,950 and makes monthly loan payments of just $116. With 43% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college serves working-class families seeking economic mobility through education.

The student-faculty ratio of 17:1 allows for hands-on learning in technical labs and clinical settings. Nearly 93% of graduates find employment after completing their programs. The college draws 87% of students from Kentucky, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. With a 59.20% graduation rate, ACTC outperforms many two-year institutions by focusing on practical skills that lead directly to careers.

Academics & Faculty

Ashland Community and Technical College focuses on career-ready programs that prepare students for Kentucky's job market. The college emphasizes hands-on technical training in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and business. With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, students get more individual attention than at larger institutions. The 59.20% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face balancing school with jobs and family responsibilities. Students earn a median of $34,504 ten years after graduation, which is competitive for associate degree holders in rural Kentucky. The college serves as a practical stepping stone for students seeking immediate employment or planning to transfer to four-year universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Faculty: 97.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 59.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,504

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$50,995
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$43,178
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$38,289
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$35,594
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$33,993
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$29,685
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.	Associate	$29,685
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$25,967
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$22,999
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$17,824

View all 43 programs →

Campus Life

Ashland sits along the Ohio River in northeastern Kentucky, about 180 miles from Louisville and Cincinnati. The campus serves 1,566 students in a small city setting where 87% of enrollees come from in-state. Eastern Kentucky winters require a good coat, while summers get humid enough that air conditioning feels essential.

Most students commute to campus since this is a community college without dormitories. The student body is 61% women and reflects the local demographics with 92% white enrollment. Classes average 17 students per faculty member, creating a more personal learning environment than larger universities. With a 93% employment rate after graduation, many students balance work and school simultaneously.

Weekends often mean heading home or working part-time jobs rather than campus activities. The Ohio River provides outdoor recreation opportunities, and nearby Ashland offers small-town amenities like local restaurants and shopping. Many students use ACTC as a stepping stone to four-year degrees or to gain technical skills for immediate employment in the region's healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1938

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 22°–39°F
July Avg: 64°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.1"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

The student body at Ashland Community and Technical College reflects its mission as a regional workforce development center in eastern Kentucky. Women make up 61% of enrollment, drawn largely to the college's strong nursing and health sciences programs that feed into Appalachian regional hospitals. Nearly nine in ten students come from Kentucky, showing the college's deep roots in serving local communities. With 43% of students receiving Pell Grants, Ashland attracts working-class families seeking affordable pathways to middle-class careers in healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

Men: 39.5%
Women: 60.5%
White: 92.5%
Black: 1.5%
Hispanic: 1.1%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 87.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 43.0%

Location

Ashland Community and Technical College sits in Ashland, Kentucky, a small city of about 21,000 people along the Ohio River. The campus is roughly 140 miles east of Lexington and 125 miles southeast of Cincinnati. This Appalachian region is known for its coal mining heritage and rolling hills. Ashland serves as a regional center for eastern Kentucky, with the nearby Russell-Flatwoods area forming a modest metropolitan area of around 70,000 residents. The Ohio River provides a natural border with Ohio and West Virginia, making this a tri-state crossroads. Students considering colleges in Kentucky may also compare Ashland Community and Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Ashland, Kentucky 41101-3683

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,504
Median Earnings (5 years): $39,260
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 24.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $116/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,950

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Ashland Community and Technical College?

Ashland Community and Technical College maintains open enrollment as a public two-year institution, welcoming students who need to build their academic foundation. The college serves 1,566 students with a focus on workforce development and transfer preparation. Most students come from Kentucky, with 87.11% being in-state residents.

How much does Ashland Community and Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,907 after aid, making it one of the most affordable higher education options in Kentucky. In-state tuition runs $4,656 while out-of-state students pay $6,192. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,879 net price thanks to federal and state aid programs.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Ashland Community and Technical College?

The college maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, providing reasonable access to instructors for a community college setting. Classes focus on hands-on technical training and college transfer courses. The institution has operated since 1938, building strong ties with local employers in eastern Kentucky.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Ashland Community and Technical College?

The six-year graduation rate reaches 59.20%, which is solid for a community college serving a working-class population. Graduates earn a median salary of $34,504 ten years after enrollment with an impressive 92.8% employment rate. Monthly loan payments average just $116, reflecting the school's affordability mission.

Where is Ashland Community and Technical College located and what is the campus like?

The college sits in Ashland, Kentucky, a small city along the Ohio River known for its industrial heritage. Women make up 60.54% of the student body, typical for community colleges nationwide. The campus serves a predominantly white student population at 92.46%, reflecting the demographics of eastern Kentucky.

Does Ashland Community and Technical College offer good value for technical training?

The college excels at preparing students for immediate workforce entry with technical certificates and associate degrees. Students graduate with a median debt of only $10,950, well below national averages. The school's connection to local industry and low loan repayment rate of 24.47% suggests many graduates find stable employment quickly.