At $3,537/yr net price, Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College graduates earn $29,482/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,537 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $14,148 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $29,482/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-4,518/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,919 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,047/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,393/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,346/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,873/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,485/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 | $50,856 | $9,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,426 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,565 | $12,692 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $26,121 | $7,793 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $18,315 | $7,618 |
The Risk Factor
43.6% of students at Southeast Kentucky Community & 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
The financial picture here is mixed, and it depends almost entirely on your major. The typical graduate earns under $30,000 ten years out, which is low, but low debt and a net price near $3,500 a year keep the downside small. You are not risking much money to attend, so the math works even when earnings disappoint.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate degree in registered nursing pays about $50,000, and you take on roughly $9,000 in debt to get there. That is a real return, and it maps directly to hospital and clinic demand in the region. Allied health and medical assisting associate degrees land in the low $40,000s, also solid for a two-year credential.
The programs to avoid are the ones that leave you where you started. The liberal arts and general studies associate degree pays around $18,000, less than many jobs that require no degree at all, while still costing you debt. The medical assisting certificate pays about $26,000 and carries nearly $8,000 in debt for a credential that earns barely half what the associate version does. If you enroll here, go for the associate degree, not the certificate.
The biggest risk is the 43% graduation rate. If you drop out, you carry debt with no credential to pay it back. Pick a health program and finish it.
This school fits you if you want a health career and live nearby, especially at lower incomes, where net price runs close to $3,000 a year. If your family earns over $75,000, your price jumps past $8,800, and a general studies path stops making sense at that cost. Look elsewhere if you want a four-year degree or earnings above the regional average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College worth the cost?
For nursing and allied health programs, yes - graduates earn $41,000-$51,000 annually with relatively low debt of $6,919. However, general studies graduates earn only $18,315, making the ROI questionable for non-healthcare programs.
What is the job market like for Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College graduates?
Healthcare program graduates do well with registered nursing leading at $50,856 annually. Other programs show much lower earnings, with liberal arts graduates earning just $18,315 per year.
How much debt do Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College students graduate with?
Median debt is $6,919, which is manageable for nursing graduates but creates financial strain for liberal arts students earning under $20,000 annually. The low net price of $3,537 per year helps keep debt reasonable.
What is the graduation rate at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?
The graduation rate is 43.6%, meaning more than half of students don't complete their programs. This increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a credential.