Nursing at Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Prestonsburg, KY · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 1,590 students in Prestonsburg, KY.

Program Analysis

At $65,735/yr, Nursing graduates from Big Sandy Community and Technical College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 73.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $13,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #477 out of 947 programs, Big Sandy Community and Technical College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $65,735 to $68,496 over five years (4% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
77
Low End
82
Score
82
High End
Earnings $65,735/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$689K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
74.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,312
Out-of-state: $12,384
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,496
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Big Sandy Community and Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Big Sandy Community and Technical College?
This program scores 82/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Big Sandy Community and Technical College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $687,733 in decade earnings vs $688,793 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Big Sandy Community and Technical College?
At $13,000 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Big Sandy Community and Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Big Sandy Community and Technical College?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Big Sandy Community and Technical College.
Will Nursing graduates from Big Sandy Community and Technical College find jobs?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Big Sandy Community and Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →