Career Training Path › Kentucky › Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Prestonsburg, Kentucky · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 1 Bert Combs Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653 · Phone: 60688638630 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Big Sandy Community and Technical College is a public trade school in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, offering electrician, LPN, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by SACS.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College has a 37.7% completion rate, below the state average of 55.5%, with median graduate debt of $9,357 and median earnings of $32,954 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Big Sandy Community and Technical College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 44.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $37,110 | $59,720 | $77,920 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,420 | $60,460 | $65,090 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $30,210 | $44,890 | $59,990 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $38,250 | $55,480 | $63,740 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,790 | $58,620 | $67,540 |
| Dental hygienists | $61,280 | $78,830 | $91,800 |
| Construction laborers | $33,770 | $45,710 | $50,040 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,300 | $51,470 | $59,900 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $38,670 | $56,340 | $70,020 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kentucky (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 148 | $24,629 | $35,416 | $8,250 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 64 | not reported | not reported | $8,025 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 47 | $24,629 | $35,416 | $8,250 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 42 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, under 300 hours | 28 | $24,629 | $35,416 | $8,250 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 28 | not reported | not reported | $9,495 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 27 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | not reported | not reported | $8,025 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 15 | not reported | $30,771 | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, under 300 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Big Sandy Community and Technical College is a public trade and career campus in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, located in a remote town setting. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with its dental program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and federal financial aid (Title IV, including FAFSA and Pell Grants) can be used here. Across 25 program offerings, the campus awards the most credentials in electrician schools, LPN/LVN programs, and auto mechanic schools, alongside other trade families such as diesel mechanic, HVAC, dental hygiene, construction trades, welding, and CDL training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 37.7%, which is below the state average of 55.5%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $9,357, and median earnings ten years after entry were $32,954. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 44.5% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting a substantial share of lower-income students in the 1,604-student undergraduate body, with 603 trade completers recorded.
This campus may suit students pursuing shorter, hands-on trade credentials such as electrical work, practical nursing, or automotive repair rather than long academic degree tracks, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported here. Adult learners and career changers should contact the school directly to confirm program formats and timelines. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and review the latest outcome figures directly through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Big Sandy Community and Technical College offers 25 programs, with the most completers in electrician schools, LPN/LVN programs, and auto mechanic schools. It also offers diesel mechanic, HVAC, dental hygiene, construction trades, welding, and CDL training programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with its dental program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 37.7%, which is below the Kentucky state average of 55.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $9,357.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry were $32,954, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or check the College Scorecard link for current figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which generally means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-level funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly at its listed phone number or website for program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review official outcome data at the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard link for this school.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix includes trade fields like electrical, LPN, and automotive work that are often pursued by career changers, but specific schedule and format details are not reported here, so contacting the school is recommended.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Big Sandy Community and Technical College by phone at 606-886-3863 or through its website at https://bigsandy.kctcs.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Federal data does not include a direct comparison to other nearby schools; consult the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Kentucky
- Fields TrainingPrestonsburg, KY
- Reliance Well Services, LLCAllen City, KY
- Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro, KY · 54% completion
- Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLouisville, KY · 36% completion
- Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington, KY · 43% completion
- Gateway Community and Technical CollegeFlorence, KY · 59% completion
- Elizabethtown Community and Technical CollegeElizabethtown, KY · 60% completion
- Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeBowling Green, KY · 58% completion
See all trade and career schools in Kentucky or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.