Big Sandy Community and Technical College: $4,656 Tuition

$4,656Tuition

1,590Students

38%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,954Earnings

#22 in KentuckyPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Big Sandy Community and Technical College serves the coal mining region of eastern Kentucky with practical job training programs. The school enrolls 1,590 students in a remote town setting. Students here focus on getting certified for work in healthcare, mining, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Nearly all students come from Kentucky (99.36%), reflecting the college's deep roots in Appalachian communities.

The financial picture looks manageable for most families. Students from lower-income households pay around $4,000 annually after aid, while the sticker price runs $4,656 for in-state tuition. Graduates earn a median of $32,954 ten years after starting college. Monthly loan payments average just $99, and median debt sits at $9,357. The employment rate hits 90.1%, suggesting strong job placement in the region's economy.

The student body skews female at 58.18% and remains overwhelmingly white at 94.40%. About 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio allows for hands-on instruction crucial for technical programs. However, the 38.40% six-year graduation rate suggests many students face challenges completing their programs, likely reflecting the economic pressures common in rural Appalachia.

Academics & Faculty

Big Sandy Community and Technical College serves eastern Kentucky's Appalachian region with career-focused programs designed for local industry needs. The college offers technical training in areas like mining technology, healthcare, and skilled trades that align with regional employment opportunities. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in small classes. The 38.4% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including working while enrolled and family responsibilities. Nearly all students (99.36%) come from Kentucky, creating a tight-knit campus community. The college emphasizes workforce development, with programs that prepare students for immediate employment in coal mining, healthcare support, and manufacturing sectors that drive the local economy.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 82.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 38.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,954

Popular Programs by Earnings

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Campus Life

Students navigate the Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky, where 99.36% come from in-state and understand the region's mining heritage. The campus sits in Prestonsburg, roughly two hours from Lexington through winding mountain roads. Students need winter coats for snowy January mornings and lighter layers for humid summer sessions when temperatures climb into the 80s.

With 1,590 students spread across multiple campuses, this isn't a residential college experience. Most students commute from surrounding coal country communities, creating a practical atmosphere focused on career training rather than campus traditions. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors know students by name in welding labs and nursing simulation rooms. Weekends often involve family time or part-time jobs rather than campus events, as 58.18% of students are women often balancing coursework with family responsibilities. Students gather in small groups between classes, discussing everything from mining technology programs to healthcare certifications. The college serves working adults seeking better opportunities in a region where median earnings after graduation reach $32,954.

Setting: Town-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 2003

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 22°–43°F
July Avg: 64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.2"
Annual Snowfall: 3.6"

Student Demographics

Big Sandy serves the working families of eastern Kentucky's coal country. Nearly all students come from within state borders, reflecting the college's deep roots in Appalachian communities. Women make up 58% of enrollment, drawn largely to the school's strong nursing and healthcare programs. The student body is overwhelmingly white at 94%, mirroring the region's demographics. With 44% receiving Pell Grants, Big Sandy provides an affordable pathway for first-generation college students and those seeking career changes in mining, manufacturing, and medical fields.

Men: 41.8%
Women: 58.2%
White: 94.4%
Black: 0.8%
Hispanic: 1.9%
Asian: 0.4%
In-State Students: 99.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 44.4%

Location

Big Sandy Community and Technical College sits in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, deep in the Appalachian Mountains about 120 miles southeast of Lexington. The school draws 99.36% of its students from within Kentucky, reflecting its role as a local educational anchor in this rural coal mining region. Prestonsburg serves as the county seat of Floyd County and sits along the Big Sandy River, surrounded by rolling hills and former mining communities. The area has been transitioning its economy away from coal dependence, making workforce training programs particularly relevant. The remote mountain setting offers outdoor recreation but limited urban amenities. Students considering colleges in Kentucky may also compare Big Sandy Community and Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Prestonsburg, Kentucky 41653

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,954
Median Earnings (5 years): $39,046
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 24.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $99/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,357

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Big Sandy Community and Technical College?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College operates with open admission policies typical of Kentucky's community colleges. The school serves 1,590 students with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, making personal attention accessible to most applicants.

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

Students pay an average net price of $4,530 annually, with costs varying by family income from $3,962 for families earning under $30,000 to $10,029 for those earning over $110,000. About 44% of students receive Pell Grants, and graduates typically leave with just $9,357 in debt.

What programs is Big Sandy Community and Technical College known for?

The college focuses heavily on technical and workforce training programs that serve eastern Kentucky's economy. With a 90.1% employment rate after graduation, students typically earn $32,954 ten years after attending, reflecting the school's emphasis on practical career preparation.

What are the graduation rates at Big Sandy Community and Technical College?

The college has a 38.4% six-year graduation rate, which reflects both the challenges faced by community college students and the school's role serving working adults and first-generation college students. Many students attend part-time while working or transfer before completing their programs.

Where is Big Sandy Community and Technical College located?

The college sits in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, in the heart of Appalachian coal country. Nearly all students (99.36%) come from in-state, and the remote town setting means the college serves as an educational anchor for the surrounding rural communities.

Does Big Sandy Community and Technical College serve a diverse student population?

The student body is 94.4% white, reflecting the demographics of eastern Kentucky's Appalachian region. Women make up 58.18% of the 1,590 enrolled students, which is typical for community colleges nationwide where women often outnumber men.