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Main at Grace in PikevillePhoto: Nyttend · Public domain
Colleges in and near Pikeville

Pikeville is a college town: 16 of every 100 residents are students

The University of Pikeville (2,364 students on campus) and American National University-Pikeville (172) are inside the city. Across Kentucky, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town16% of residents are studentsUniversity of Pikeville

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Pikeville. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
2,658 students on campus
Nearest college
0.3 mi
American National University-Pikeville
Residents in college
16%
Above KY (6%)
Nearest community college
20 mi
Big Sandy Community and Technical College · $4,728 tuition
Nearest public university
69.6 mi
Morehead State · $10,024 in-state
Students on campus in Pikeville
2,658
next to 7,270 residents

What stands out about college in Pikeville

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town16 of every 100 Pikeville residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Kentucky.A university in PikevilleThe University of Pikeville has 2,364 students on campus in Pikeville, 42% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 20 miles awayBig Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg: tuition and fees $4,728 a year for Kentucky residents.In-state price at Morehead StateLiving in Kentucky, Morehead State University charges $10,024 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,980. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Pikeville

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

16 of every 100 Pikeville residents are in college (KY: 6).

2,658students on campus at Pikeville’s 3 colleges, next to 7,270 residents (dorm students count as residents)
788college students live in Pikeville households rather than dorms
40.4median age · KY 39.1
59%of homes rented · KY 32%
$862median rent · 11% below the state
PikevillePikeville, KY
Cost of living$862/mo median rentD−SafetyCrime reported to the FBIB−HealthCDC estimatesDJobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundC−HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Pikeville’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income C−

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 26.9% of Pikeville residents are below the poverty line, 23.2% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 8 points either way). 54% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living D−

The Cost grade counts the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving it out only where students are a quarter of residents or more. Here they are 16%, so student incomes still weigh on that figure.

Health D

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Pikeville’s median age is 40.4 (Kentucky 39.1), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety B−

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Pikeville

Three private colleges within 0.5 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Morehead State University, is 69.6 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of PikevillePikeville
University or collegeCommunity college
American National University-PikevilleUniversity or college · For-profit · 172 on campus · In Pikeville$17knet price50%graduate$28kearningsGalen Health Institutes-PikevilleUniversity or college · For-profit · 122 on campus · In Pikeville$28knet price$61kearningsEarnings are reported for all 20 campuses that file with it.University of PikevilleUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,364 on campus · In Pikeville$20knet price42%graduate$48kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Pikeville’s median household income ($39,955) falls.

Morehead State University69.6 mi · Morehead · sticker $21,961$7,057a year
University of PikevilleIn Pikeville · sticker $33,420$18,160a year
American National University-PikevilleIn Pikeville · sticker $25,356$19,093a year
Galen Health Institutes-PikevilleIn Pikeville · sticker $34,556$30,538a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →American National University-PikevilleUniversity of PikevilleMorehead State
Morehead State University52% graduate$43k earnings$22k typical debt
University of Pikeville42% graduate$48k earnings$21k typical debt
American National University-Pikeville50% graduate$28k earnings$24k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Pikeville

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Pikeville’s 3 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 47%Business 12%Biology 6%Public safety 6%Education 6%Psychology 4%Everything else 18%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of Pikeville · 49 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralUniversity of Pikeville · 30 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsUniversity of Pikeville · 22 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsUniversity of Pikeville · 16 graduates a year
$36k4 yrs out
Social WorkUniversity of Pikeville · 12 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesUniversity of Pikeville · 8 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Pikeville

Is Pikeville a college town?

Yes. 16 of every 100 Pikeville residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Kentucky. The University of Pikeville has 2,364 students on campus, next to 7,270 residents.

What colleges are in Pikeville?

The University of Pikeville, American National University-Pikeville and Galen Health Institutes-Pikeville are inside the city. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is 20 miles away in Prestonsburg.

Why is Pikeville’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 26.9% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 23.2% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 8 points).

What is the closest community college to Pikeville, and what does it cost?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, 20 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,728 a year for Kentucky residents; the federal net price, $3,873, counts housing and food at full cost.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Pikeville. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →