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$4,656Tuition
1,404Students
47%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$29,868Earnings
#15 in KentuckyPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Hazard Community and Technical College

Hazard Community and Technical College serves the coal country of eastern Kentucky with practical career training and college transfer options. The school enrolls 1,404 students in a remote town setting. Nearly all students (99.67%) come from Kentucky, reflecting the college's deep roots in Appalachian communities. Women make up about two-thirds of the student body at 64.53%. The college focuses on workforce development and preparing students for four-year universities.

Students from low-income families pay just $2,740 net price annually, making higher education accessible in a region where opportunities can be limited. Even middle-class families with incomes up to $48,000 pay only $4,363 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $29,868 ten years later, with typical debt loads of $10,125. The employment rate hits 85.3%, showing strong job placement in the local economy. Monthly loan payments average just $107, keeping debt manageable for working-class graduates.

The student-faculty ratio of 18:1 allows for personal attention in technical programs and academic courses. About 37% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many first-generation college students. The 47% six-year completion rate reflects both the challenges facing rural students and the college's role as a stepping stone for those balancing work and family responsibilities.

Academics & Faculty

Hazard Community and Technical College focuses on career training and workforce development for eastern Kentucky's coal and healthcare industries. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides solid access to instructors in hands-on programs. With a 47% graduation rate, about half of students complete their two-year programs or transfer successfully. The college emphasizes practical skills training in fields like nursing, mining technology, and automotive repair. Students benefit from small class sizes that allow for individualized attention in technical labs and clinical settings. The school serves as a stepping stone for students entering the workforce directly or transferring to four-year universities to continue their education.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Full-Time Faculty
95.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
47.3%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$29,868

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $53,775
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $35,416
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). Certificate $31,839
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Associate $26,715
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Associate $25,194
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Associate $22,869
Computer and Information Sciences, General. Associate $21,508
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $20,140
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Certificate $20,140
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. Certificate $11,234

View all 47 programs →

Campus Life

Students navigate a compact campus in the heart of Appalachian coal country, about 100 miles southeast of Lexington. Women make up 65% of the student body at this commuter-focused institution where nearly 100% of students come from Kentucky. The mountainous terrain means you'll need a winter coat for snowy winters and moderate summers, though the region's natural beauty provides hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities year-round.

Most students drive to campus daily from surrounding rural communities, creating a parking-lot culture where conversations happen between classes. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and track your progress personally. With 85% of graduates finding employment, career-focused programs like nursing, welding, and mining technology dominate campus conversations. Students often work part-time jobs while attending classes, reflecting the school's practical approach to education. Weekend activities center around community events rather than traditional college social scenes. The average net price of $3,376 makes this an affordable stepping stone for first-generation college students seeking technical skills or preparing to transfer to four-year universities.
Setting
Town-Remote
Calendar System
Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Burglary 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
25°–45°F
July Avg
64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation
49.9"
Annual Snowfall
16.7"

Student Demographics

Hazard serves the coal mining communities and rural towns of eastern Kentucky. Nearly all students come from within state borders, reflecting the college's deep roots in Appalachian culture. Women make up about two-thirds of enrollment, drawn to the school's strong nursing and allied health programs. More than one-third receive Pell Grants, showing how the college provides educational opportunities for working-class families in one of America's most economically challenged regions. The student body represents the resilient mountain communities that have long depended on Hazard for accessible career training and college preparation.
Men
35.5%
Women
64.5%
White
95.6%
Black
1.1%
Hispanic
0.9%
Asian
0.3%
In-State Students
99.7%
Pell Grant Recipients
37.3%

Location

Hazard sits in the heart of eastern Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains, about 100 miles southeast of Lexington. This small town of roughly 5,000 residents serves as a regional center for the surrounding coal mining communities. The college draws 99.67% of its students from in-state, reflecting its deep roots in the local community. Eastern Kentucky's rugged terrain and mining heritage shape both the culture and career opportunities in the region. The mountainous setting offers outdoor recreation but also presents economic challenges that the college addresses through workforce training programs. Students pay just $2,740 net price for families earning under $30,000. Students considering colleges in Kentucky may also compare Hazard Community and Technical College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Hazard, Kentucky 41701-2402

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$29,868
Median Earnings (5 years)
$33,950
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$23,300
Loan Repayment Rate
23.0%
Monthly Loan Payment
$107/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,125

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hazard Community and Technical College operates with open enrollment, accepting virtually all applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements. Nearly 100% of students are from Kentucky, reflecting the school's mission to serve the local Appalachian community. The college welcomes students seeking both career training and transfer preparation.

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

Students pay an average net price of $3,376 annually, making it highly affordable for eastern Kentucky families. Low-income students with family incomes under $30,000 pay just $2,740 per year after aid. Over 37% of students receive Pell Grants, and graduates leave with a median debt of only $10,125.

What programs is Hazard Community and Technical College known for?

The college specializes in career training and workforce development programs tailored to eastern Kentucky's economy. Classes maintain an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in technical fields. The school serves as both a stepping stone for university transfer and direct entry into skilled trades.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Hazard Community and Technical College?

Graduates achieve an 85.3% employment rate, demonstrating strong workforce connections in the region. The median earnings of $29,868 after ten years reflects the local job market in rural Kentucky. About 47% of students complete their programs within six years, with many entering the workforce immediately.

Where is Hazard Community and Technical College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Hazard, Kentucky, a small town in the remote Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky. With 1,404 students and a student body that is 65% female, the campus serves as an educational center for the surrounding coal mining region. The tight-knit community atmosphere reflects the college's deep roots in Appalachian culture.

How does Hazard Community and Technical College serve its local community?

Nearly 100% of students come from within Kentucky, making this truly a hometown institution for Appalachia. The college focuses on addressing local workforce needs while providing affordable education in a region with limited economic opportunities. Monthly loan payments average just $107, keeping education accessible for working families in eastern Kentucky.