KYCOM has earned high marks in rural medicine, ranking 11th among all medical schools in the nation, both D.O. and M.D., in the U.S. News &World Report’s rankings of best medical schools for 2017.These graduates love and proudly serve this area with more than 60percent of the graduates serving Eastern Kentucky.

UPIKE offers through the Elliot School of Nursing an Associate Degree in Nursing and a RN to BSN program was added in 2011. The May 2016 class of 32 nursing graduates achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This achievement was also accomplished by the 2015 class.

The college’s main mission is to prepare effective teachers who believe that all students can learn at high levels. They have recently joined the national Future Ready initiative, which focuses on transitioning students, educators, and members of the community to digital learning.

Masters of Business Administration is offered through the college. The program cultivates an academic entrepreneurial business mindset with dedicated, experienced professors, and specialized training. The college also hosts a business plan competition open to all Eastern Kentucky residents that promotes entrepreneurship in Central Appalachia.

Having a university such as UPIKE, right in the heart of downtown Pikeville, is an asset. Since becoming a university in 2011, enrollment has increased to more than 2,000 students. Pikeville is being permeated with educated individuals more than ever. An emphasis on the importance of education can be seen with the growth of the campus itself. In 2012, a $34 million educational facility, the Coal Building, was added to the campus. The new Kentucky College of Optometry Health Professions Education Building is completed.