The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) is where students move mountains. Since its establishment in 1889, UPIKE has been the leading higher education institution in Central Appalachia, a place where everyone can defy expectations and discover a whole new realm of possibilities in the fields of business, humanities, medicine, education, social and natural sciences, and more.
Much of this is due to how UPIKE puts students first. In every class you attend, you’ll get personalised attention from professors. Thanks to a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a faculty member can focus on you and facilitate in-depth discussions. And with as many as 72% of UPIKE’s faculty holding the highest degree in their field, you’ll always be learning from some of the best in your chosen field.
“Being in small class sizes benefited my learning and development here since I was able to create a one-on-one connection with my professor,” student Renee Crooks from Canada says. “Additionally, if I had any concerns or inquiries on a certain subject from their course, I could easily contact and talk to them about it during their office hours. This allowed me to keep on track with my studies and other commitments.”
With a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll never just be another face in the crowd. Source: University of Pikeville
Career-readiness, the UPIKE way
Your time here is not the only thing UPIKE cares about. Your future career matters just as much to them. Hence why the Centre for Career, Vocation, and Leadership works with a wide variety of people and groups to ensure your professional success. They collaborate with faculty, staff, student organisations, alumni, and community partners – figures who can advise, answer questions, and land dream roles for students.
“UPIKE is a special place that empowers us to pursue our dreams,” says Carly Crooks, Renee Crooks’s sister says. “No matter where we go in the future, we hope the UPIKE family knows we are happy to represent them.”
Renee and Carly are international students pursuing bachelor’s degrees while competing in collegiate golf. “The university has been incredibly supportive of the golf team, particularly with the addition of a golf simulator in the Sportsplex,” says Renee, who is majoring in Accounting and Business Administration.
The next step in her journey is securing a position in marketing, HR, or management – something she’s confident she’ll achieve. “The university is helping me work towards this goal by providing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in two campus departments,” she says. “I’m grateful to be working at both the Center for Academic Excellence and the Marketing & Communications department, as these roles allow me to develop valuable skills that I can showcase on my resume.”

University of Pikeville is the #1 safest campus in Kentucky. Source: University of Pikeville
Safe, serene, satisfying
Studying at UPIKE is not only fulfilling but safe. Ranked among the top 20 safest campuses in the US and #1 in Kentucky with an A+ rating from Niche, the university provides a secure and supportive environment for its students, faculty, and staff. Its Department of Public Safety has a full range of security resources, including 24-hour preventative patrols, criminal investigations, crime prevention, facilities security, special event services, and parking management and enforcement.
“A personal example of the university’s kindness occurred during my junior year in the fall semester, when one of my professors in the Coleman College of Business noticed that the Women’s Tennis team had to walk a long, unsafe route to their practice facility. Out of kindness, she offered the team members rides to and from practice,” Renee says. “This gesture really highlighted the compassionate and caring nature of the faculty at UPIKE.”
Carly credits the international advisor for an “amazing job” making sure she has all the necessary documents as an international student. “For example winter break, he checked to see if we needed to renew our F1 visa,” she says.
If everything that has been said is not enough to make you click on the APPLY NOW button, maybe the affordable tuition fee will. It will cost you US$25,500 per year to enroll in an undergraduate programme, while a master’s degree costs US$490 – US$540 per credit hour.
After obtaining a student visa, international students are entitled to a scholarship worth US$7,500. All you have to do prior is show that you have enough funds to separately afford health insurance, living expenses, travel, entertainment and miscellaneous costs for one year, which usually amounts to US$5,000 in Pikeville, Kentucky.
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