At $3,794/yr net price, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates earn $34,242/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $242/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,794 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $15,176 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,242/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$242/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 62.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,175 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,352/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,924/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,415/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,168/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,090/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,179 | $16,503 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Associate | $43,314 | $9,300 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $39,927 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,289 | $18,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $27,439 | $6,897 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,730 | $13,650 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,003 | $8,603 |
The Risk Factor
52.1% of students at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College keeps costs low and debt modest, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you finish. The typical graduate earns a modest wage a decade out, and with a median debt around $10,000, you are not taking on a heavy loan burden to find out whether your program works.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $53,000 a decade out, the highest of any program listed, and even with about $16,500 in debt the math favors you. Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance is the strongest low-debt bet: it pays over $43,000 while leaving you with under $10,000 owed, so your earnings-to-debt ratio beats nursing's. Allied Health is the trap to watch. It pays less than the maintenance track yet carries the highest debt of any program listed, near $18,500, which is a weak return for the cost. The Computer and Information Sciences associate pays under $29,000, below the school's own median, so it does not pay off the way you might expect.
The specific risk here is program choice, not price. Two out of three students don't recover money, and about half of students don't graduate, so the low net price only helps if you finish. Enrolling without landing in nursing or a skilled trade leaves you with a credential that earns near the median or below.
This school fits you if you want nursing or industrial equipment work and plan to finish. If your family earns under $48,000, your net price actually drops below the sticker figure, making the trades and nursing tracks a strong-value entry point. Above $110,000, you pay roughly three times as much, and at that price a low-earning program like the computer science associate stops making financial sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College worth the money?
At $3,794 per year, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College offers decent value if you choose the right program. Nursing graduates earn $53,179 annually while typical graduates make $34,242, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost and manageable debt of around $10,175.
What are the best paying programs at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College?
Registered Nursing is the clear winner at $53,179 annually, followed by Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance at $43,314. Computer Science graduates only earn $28,598, making it a weaker choice despite the tech industry hype.
How much debt do Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates have?
Median debt is $10,175, which is manageable for most programs. With nursing graduates earning over $50,000 annually, the debt-to-income ratio works out well for the school's strongest programs.
What is the graduation rate at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College?
The graduation rate is 52.1%, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their programs. This is typical for community colleges but suggests you need strong motivation and study habits to succeed here.