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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
The Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 69 schools in Kentucky to see which programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Bluegrass Community and Technical College to be the most popular school for trade school students in Kentucky. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is located in Lexington, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,011 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Bluegrass Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,138 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $124, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Bluegrass Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,280 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Out of the 69 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s ranking, Jefferson Community and Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 4,096 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,442 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $38,170 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
The programs at Gateway Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Kentucky. Florence, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,188 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,919 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gateway graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,770 during the early year of their career. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Kentucky. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. It awarded 3,257 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,539 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,037 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
The programs at Maysville Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Kentucky. Maysville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,815 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Maysville Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,094 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Maysville Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $30,391 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Read full report on Maysville Community and Technical College
Somerset Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. SCC is a public institution located in Somerset, Kentucky. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,625 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SCC accumulate an average of $14,753 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,815 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Paducah, Kentucky. It awarded 2,586 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from West Kentucky Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $11,008 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $29,988 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 2,374 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SKYCTC graduates make an average of $32,998 annually. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #9, Ashland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Ashland, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 2,263 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,375 in student loans.After graduating from ACTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,541 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
With a ranking of #10, Owensboro Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Owensboro Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Owensboro, Kentucky. It awarded 2,796 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,319 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Owensboro Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,152 during the early year of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,345 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $12,938 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Big Sandy Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $36,262 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Hazard Community and Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Hazard Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Hazard, Kentucky. It awarded 1,587 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hazard Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $12,146 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Hazard Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,826 during the early years of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Madisonville Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. Madisonville Community College is a small public school located in Madisonville, Kentucky that handed out 1,547 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Madisonville Community College accumulate an average of $10,138 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Madisonville Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,288 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Hopkinsville Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. Hopkinsville Community College is a small public school located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky that handed out 1,124 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,364 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Hopkinsville Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,124 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
MedQuest College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the very small private for-profit school handed out 391 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,464 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $51. Once they receive their degree, MedQuest College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $25,332 during the early year of their career. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Southeast is located in Cumberland, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 953 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Southeast accumulate an average of $10,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Southeast graduates make an average of $36,786 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Full Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, the fairly large public school awarded 3,622 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Eastern accumulate an average of $27,474 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $218, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Eastern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,738 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Sullivan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private for-profit school handed out 871 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $44,478 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $254. During the early years of their career, Sullivan University graduates make an average of $44,464 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Kentucky did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,890 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UK accumulate an average of $36,151 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $460.After graduating from UK, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,675 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Western Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. WKU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 4,485 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,038 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $280 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from WKU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,898 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. NKU is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 3,792 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NKU accumulate an average of $32,046 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $214. Once they receive their degree, NKU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,837 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, Henderson Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Henderson, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 523 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,500 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Henderson Community College graduates make an average of $36,680 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 234 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,358 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $86 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, PJ’s College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $16,566 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.
Morehead State University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Kentucky list. This medium-sized public school is located in Morehead, Kentucky, and it awarded 1,532 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $32,260 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $130. Once they receive their degree, Morehead State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,454 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Murray State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Murray State University is a medium-sized public school located in Murray, Kentucky that handed out 2,172 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,882 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $329 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Murray State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,161 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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