University of Pikeville
Pikeville, Kentucky · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 33/100 · Poor Value
University of Pikeville scores 33 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale -- one of the lower scores in the database. The data is blunt: a 41.7% completion rate means fewer than half of enrollees earn a degree. Median 6-year earnings of $32,100 are low even against a $24,850 sticker tuition, producing a 16.7-year payback period. Repayment rate of 67.5% indicates a material share of graduates are not making progress on their loans. Admission rate and test score data are not reported by the Scorecard. Pikeville is a small Kentucky private (1,135 enrollment) with a 38% Pell grant rate, reflecting a student body with substantial financial need. Registered Nursing is the clear standout: 10 graduates, $82,878 year-one earnings, a B-grade ROI, though with high median debt of $33,618. Most other programs -- Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Biology -- show D-grade ROI with earnings in the high $20s to mid-$30s at year one. The school serves a rural Appalachian community with limited higher education alternatives, and that access mission is real. But prospective students should enter with clear information about the completion and earnings data.
The data raises concerns about University of Pikeville
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score33/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period16.7 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
University of Pikeville
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $24,850/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $24,850/yr |
| Average net price | $20,311/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $81,244 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,231 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,679 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $219 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 41.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,135 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Pikeville is $24,850/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,311/year, or roughly $81,244 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,115/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,755/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,679 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $219 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,231 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.64 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,115 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,160 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,075 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,065 |
| $110,001+ | $25,755 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $13,115 per year -- roughly $52,000 over four years. Against median 6-year earnings of $32,100 and a 41.7% completion rate, this is a high-risk financial commitment. Low-income students who do not complete a degree at Pikeville will have spent $52,000 (much of it borrowed) without the credential. The repayment rate of 67.5% suggests a meaningful share of graduates struggle with loan repayment.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 75001-110000 bracket pays $24,065 per year -- near full sticker. Four-year cost approaches $96,000. Against median earnings of $32,100, this is a very poor financial proposition for middle-income families. Students from this bracket have substantially better ROI options at Kentucky public universities.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $25,755 per year -- effectively full price. The full-pay case at Pikeville is not financially defensible on the Scorecard data: 41.7% completion, $32,100 median 6-year earnings, and a 16.7-year payback period represent some of the weakest metrics in the dataset. Only students with very specific programmatic needs (nursing, primarily) can construct a defensible ROI case.
Earnings by Major
Top 7 most popular majors at University of Pikeville with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,971 | C |
| Biology | $71,225 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $41,524 | D |
| Teacher Education | $36,199 | C+ |
| Social Work | $41,979 | - |
| Registered Nursing | $82,878 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,943 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Pikeville's strongest program by earnings: 10 graduates, $82,878 year-one, B-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.406, median debt $33,618). Year-one earnings of $82,878 are strong and reflect Kentucky nursing market rates. The high median debt of $33,618 is the caution flag -- it is above average for nursing programs nationally. The 4-year earnings data is not reported. For students committed to nursing in rural Kentucky, this is a viable pathway despite the debt level.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (49 graduates, the largest program) earns $36,213 year-one and $49,971 at year four (C grade, debt-to-earnings 0.690, median debt $25,000). Year-one earnings of $36k are modest for a business degree, reflecting the eastern Kentucky regional labor market. Debt-to-earnings of 0.690 is elevated. The four-year trajectory to $50k is limited upside. Students have better options in business at similar cost elsewhere.
Biology
Biology (30 graduates) earns $28,699 year-one and $71,225 at year four (D grade, debt-to-earnings 0.736, median debt $21,128). Year-one earnings are very low -- most biology graduates here likely continue to professional or graduate school, explaining the eventual four-year figure of $71k. The near-term earnings picture is poor. Students planning graduate school should factor total debt carefully; those expecting bachelor's-level employment face a difficult immediate financial situation.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (22 graduates) earns $27,025 year-one and $41,524 at year four (D grade, debt-to-earnings 0.826, median debt $22,330). Year-one earnings cannot support standard debt service on $22,330 in loans. The four-year trajectory to $41k is modest improvement but still leaves a significant debt-income gap. This program's outcomes are poor against Pikeville's cost structure.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 60.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 67.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 47.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 58.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 1,135 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,086 |
The Scorecard does not report Pikeville's admission rate or test score ranges. Based on enrollment profile and Pell grant rate, Pikeville operates as an open-access institution serving a regional market. The practical admissions question is less about selectivity and more about whether the student's intended program and financial plan are aligned with realistic completion and earnings outcomes.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Pikeville's Scorecard peers include Alice Lloyd College, Asbury University, and Emory and Henry University -- all small Appalachian privates. Pikeville's 33 score (Poor Value) is the lowest in this peer set. Alice Lloyd College is notable for its near-free tuition model for Appalachian students, which produces better ROI outcomes at the low-income end. Students considering Pikeville against Kentucky's public regional universities (Morehead State, Kentucky State) should note that public tuition with better completion rates often produces better overall ROI at lower total cost.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pikeville (this school) | 33 | $20,311 | $48,231 |
| Piedmont University | 35 | $20,599 | $49,130 |
| Mount Aloysius College | 34 | $22,344 | $46,165 |
| Emory & Henry University | 33 | $19,061 | $47,385 |
| Asbury University | 29 | $21,401 | $42,368 |
| Alice Lloyd College | 18 | $18,600 | $40,573 |
Who Thrives Here
Scorecard does not report Pikeville's admission rate or test score ranges. Enrollment is 1,135. The 38% Pell grant rate is high, indicating the school predominantly serves lower-income students. Pikeville's student body skews toward first-generation college students and students from eastern Kentucky's rural communities. The 41.7% completion rate signals that a large share of the student population faces challenges -- financial, academic, and logistical -- that prevent degree completion. Students with a specific health sciences goal (nursing in particular) will find a focused pathway; others face a more uncertain outcome.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about University of Pikeville. With a net cost of $20,311 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,231 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 41.7% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,679 against $48,231 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.