Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

$4,656Tuition

1,680Students

44%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,482Earnings

#19 in KentuckyPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

This Appalachian community college serves 1,680 students in the coal mining region of eastern Kentucky. Southeast Kentucky focuses heavily on workforce development and technical training programs that match the economic needs of rural Kentucky. The college operates in a rural-remote setting where nearly 96% of students come from in-state. Women make up two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare and social service programs.

Students pay an average net price of $3,537 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable college options in Kentucky. Graduates earn a median of $29,482 ten years after enrollment, which provides a solid return on investment for the region's cost of living. Students typically graduate with just $6,919 in debt and face monthly loan payments of only $73. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many first-generation and low-income students from Appalachian communities.

The college maintains a 21:1 student-faculty ratio and achieves an 84% employment rate for graduates. The 44% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face in completing their degrees. This institution serves as an economic lifeline for students seeking career training without leaving their tight-knit mountain communities.

Academics & Faculty

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College serves the coal mining region with career-focused programs that match local industry needs. The school offers strong technical training in mining technology, welding, and healthcare fields like nursing and medical assisting. With a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, students get reasonable access to instructors despite being a community college. The 43.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face completing degrees part-time. Two-thirds of students are women, many pursuing healthcare certifications that lead directly to employment. The college emphasizes hands-on training over traditional academics, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce rather than four-year transfer.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Faculty: 97.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 43.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,482

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$50,856
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$43,426
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$41,565
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$26,121
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$18,315

View all 43 programs →

Campus Life

Cumberland sits in the heart of Appalachian Kentucky, about 150 miles southeast of Lexington through winding mountain roads. Women make up 67% of the student body at this technical college serving coal country and surrounding rural communities. You'll need a winter coat for snowy January days and light layers for humid summers that reach the 80s.

Most of the 1,680 students commute from nearby towns since the college doesn't offer traditional dormitories. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller classes where instructors know your name. Nearly 96% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community where everyone seems connected through family or work. Weekends often mean heading home or picking up shifts at local jobs. The college focuses heavily on workforce training programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Students gather in the cafeteria between classes or study in small groups in the library. The campus feels more like a regional training center than a traditional college, reflecting its mission to serve working adults and recent high school graduates seeking practical skills.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

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

Student Demographics

This Appalachian community college draws overwhelmingly from Kentucky, with 96% of students staying close to home for affordable career training. Two-thirds of students are women, reflecting the school's strong programs in nursing, education, and healthcare fields that traditionally attract female students. The college serves as an economic lifeline for working-class families in coal country. About 40% receive Pell Grants, indicating the school's mission to provide accessible education in one of America's most economically challenged regions. Students typically balance coursework with jobs and family responsibilities.

Men: 33.3%
Women: 66.7%
White: 92.5%
Black: 1.7%
Hispanic: 1.0%
Asian: 0.4%
In-State Students: 95.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 40.1%

Location

Cumberland sits in southeastern Kentucky, about 120 miles from Lexington and deep in Appalachian coal country. This rural mountain town of roughly 2,100 residents serves as the county seat of Harlan County. The campus draws 95.82% of its students from in-state, reflecting the college's role as a local educational anchor. Students here experience small-town living surrounded by the rolling hills and hollers characteristic of eastern Kentucky. The area has historically depended on coal mining, though the economy has diversified in recent years. Monthly loan payments average just $73, making education accessible to local families. Students considering colleges in Kentucky may also compare Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Cumberland, Kentucky 40823

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,482
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,488
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $22,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 26.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $73/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,919

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges. With 1,680 students and a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, the school welcomes students from across the region who want to pursue technical training or transfer programs.

How much does Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,537 after financial aid, making it highly affordable for working families. With 40.11% of students receiving Pell Grants and low-income families paying just $3,047 net, the college keeps education accessible in rural Appalachia.

What academic programs is Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College known for?

The college specializes in technical and workforce training programs that prepare students for local industries. With a 43.60% six-year graduation rate and strong employment connections, students often enter fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades that serve the Cumberland region.

What do graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College typically earn?

Graduates earn a median of $29,482 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the regional job market in southeastern Kentucky. The 84.4% employment rate shows strong job placement, though earnings reflect the economic realities of rural Appalachia where cost of living is lower.

Where do students at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College come from?

The student body is 95.82% in-state residents, mostly from the surrounding mountain counties. With 92.50% white students and 66.67% women, the demographics mirror the local community that the college has served for decades.

How manageable is student debt at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?

Students graduate with a median debt of just $6,919, leading to monthly loan payments of only $73. Only 9.87% of students take federal loans, reflecting both the school's affordability and the financial constraints of families in this economically challenged region.