At $13,591/yr net price, University of Pikeville graduates earn $48,231/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,231/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,591 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $54,364 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,231/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,231/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,679 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,218/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,537/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,903/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,821/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,953/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 | $63,005 | $15,750 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $53,842 | $246,625 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $37,424 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $22,330 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $31,423 | $16,806 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $29,322 | $24,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $21,425 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $24,267 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $23,579 | $20,191 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $22,880 |
The Risk Factor
39.1% of students at University of Pikeville graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
University of Pikeville sits in a mixed financial spot. The net price stays low across every income tier, and median debt is modest for a private four-year school. But the median earnings ten years out land below what many bachelor's graduates elsewhere pull in, and the 39% graduation rate means paying without finishing is a real possibility.
The program earnings tell a harder story. None of the top-listed bachelor's majors clear $36,000 in early-career pay. Criminal Justice leads the pack but still leaves you carrying over $22,000 in debt against $35,060 in earnings. Business Administration is the worst trade here: the highest debt on the list at $24,000, paired with earnings under $30,000. Social Work sits at the bottom for pay, which matches the regional reality of that field but makes any borrowing hard to justify. Teacher Education is the most balanced choice, with the lowest debt of the group against reasonable pay for eastern Kentucky.
The specific risk is retention. Roughly a third of you won't return after your first year, and fewer than four in ten finish. Debt without a degree is the outcome that wrecks the math here, and these completion numbers make that outcome common.
The net price is where Pikeville actually works. If your family income is under $30,000, you pay around $11,200 a year, and the price barely climbs as income rises. That flat pricing means this school is a genuine fit if you're from a lower-income Appalachian household, plan to teach or work in local public services, and can commit to finishing.
Look elsewhere if you're borrowing heavily for business or psychology, or if you need early-career earnings above the low $30,000s to make your loans work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Pikeville worth the cost?
University of Pikeville's low graduation rate of 39% and median earnings of $48,231 ten years after graduation make it a risky investment for most students. The school works best for students pursuing nursing or medicine, where earnings are significantly higher than the overall average.
What programs at University of Pikeville have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at University of Pikeville offer the strongest return on investment, with graduates earning around $63,000 annually. Medicine also pays well at $53,842, while education and criminal justice programs lead to below-average earnings of around $31,000-35,000.
How much debt do University of Pikeville graduates typically have?
University of Pikeville graduates carry a median debt of $20,679, which is manageable for nursing and medical graduates but concerning for those in lower-paying fields like education. With nearly 4 in 10 students not graduating, debt without a degree is a real risk.
Does University of Pikeville offer good financial aid?
University of Pikeville's net price of $13,591 per year is relatively affordable for a private college. However, the low graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs despite the lower cost.