Somerset Community College

What Somerset Community College does

Somerset Community College (SCC) is a public community college established in 1993, operating as part of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) from Somerset, Kentucky. The college delivers credit programs (associate degrees, diplomas, certificates) across six career pathways: Business/IT/Logistics; Education/Human Services/Social Sciences; Healthcare; Manufacturing/Construction/Trades/Transportation; Public Safety/First Responders; and STEM, plus dedicated transfer pathways through the University Center of Southern Kentucky. It holds specialized programmatic accreditations including an 8-year maximum-duration JRCERT accreditation for its Radiography program and CAPTE accreditation for its Physical Therapist Assistant program, alongside CRLA-certified tutoring services. As of Spring 2026, the college honors 953 graduates per commencement and serves students from eight Kentucky counties (Pulaski, Rockcastle, Laurel, Clay, McCreary, Adair, Russell, and Clinton) through six physical locations.

The business model combines tuition revenue (lowest in Kentucky at $195/credit hour for residents, $97 for dual credit, $270 for nonresidents) with state appropriations and federal grants. The college generates supplementary revenue through non-credit workforce training — continuing education courses for license holders at $75/course, the Adult Peer Support Specialist 30-hour certification at $200/person, and Certified Fiber Optic training — plus the KCTCS-TRAINS program that subsidizes 75% of customized employer training costs. GTM motion is community-led, combining dual credit recruitment from regional high schools, veteran services (GI Bill, tuition assistance), workforce development partnerships, and direct-to-consumer recruitment via campus visits and program finder tools.

The technology stack is primarily off-the-shelf educational technology: Brainfuse for online tutoring, Starfish for student progress tracking, SmarterMeasure for learner readiness assessment, National Student Clearinghouse for transcript ordering, plus a Learning Commons providing in-person tutoring, library resources, laptop loans, and a makerspace. The college's most notable recent initiative is Floodbuster 1, a 3D-printed concrete disaster-resilient housing prototype built in October 2025 via a $1.6M USDA Rural Development / Appalachian Regional Commission grant in collaboration with Skyland 3D and RIC Technology, representing an applied R&D pivot into affordable housing innovation for rural Appalachia with reported costs of $60-80 per square foot versus $180-225 for conventional construction.

Name

Somerset Community College

Legal name

Somerset Community College

Website

https://somerset.kctcs.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Somerset Community College is a public community college within Kentucky's KCTCS system, offering affordable associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, workforce training, and transfer pathways across six campuses serving eight rural Kentucky counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Junior Colleges (611210), Junior Colleges (61121), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Workforce training solutions
• Continuing education courses
• Transfer pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerset

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Somerset Community College generates revenue primarily through tuition charged per credit hour to students. The college offers the lowest tuition in Kentucky, with differentiated rates for resident students ($195/credit hour), dual credit students ($97/credit hour), and nonresident students ($270/credit hour). Additional fees include mandatory fees ($8/credit hour) and distance learner fees ($20/credit hour).
2. Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education: The college offers continuing education courses for license holders, including electrician, plumbing, and HVAC continuing education at $75 per course. Workforce training programs funded through KCTCS-TRAINS offset costs for Kentucky companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Somerset Community College is a public community college offering credit programs (associate degrees, diplomas, certificates) across six career pathways—Business/IT/Logistics, Education/Human Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing/Construction/Trades/Transportation, Public Safety, and STEM. It also delivers non-credit workforce solutions including continuing education for licensed trades, customized business training funded through KCTCS-TRAINS, and transfer pathways to four-year universities, supported by integrated student services such as tutoring, advising, and veteran support.

Product overview

Somerset Community College (SCC) is a community college offering a unified platform of educational programs and student services through the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS). The college provides credit programs including associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across six career pathways (Business/IT/Logistics, Education/Human Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing/Construction/Trades/Transportation, Public Safety, and STEM). Non-credit workforce solutions include continuing education, licensure preparation, and specialized training programs. Student support services are delivered through integrated platforms including Starfish for student tracking, Brainfuse for tutoring, SmarterMeasure for readiness assessment, and transcript services via National Student Clearinghouse.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stoner Little Theatre: Home to a thriving, award-winning theatre community at SCC, allowing students to pursue an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Theatre Arts. The program provides opportunities for college students, high school students, and community members to participate in live theatre and video projects.
• SCC Connect Podcast
• University Center of Southern Kentucky

Products and services

• Credit Programs (Associate Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates) Post-secondary credit programs leading to associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across six career pathways: Business/IT/Logistics, Education/Human Services/Social Sciences, Healthcare, Manufacturing/Construction/Trades/Transportation, Public Safety/First Responders, and STEM. Open to traditional college students, working adults, and transfer students.
• Radiography Program Two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program preparing graduates to become radiographers, with CT Certificate and MR Certificate specialty options. Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) for eight years.
• Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Two-year Associate in Applied Science degree with selective admissions preparing students to become physical therapist assistants under PT supervision. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
• Cosmetology Program Comprehensive beauty treatment training requiring at least 1,500 hours of instruction, offering Cosmetologist Diploma, Cosmetologist Certificate, Esthetician Certificate, Nail Technician Certificate, and Apprentice Cosmetology Instructor Certificate credentials.
• Adult Peer Support Specialist Training 30-contact-hour online/in-person certification course preparing individuals for paraprofessional adult peer specialist employment supporting behavioral health treatment services. Leads to state certification.
• Certified Fiber Optic Program Professional certification including CFOT Technician (3-day/24 hour), CFOT Specialist Splicing (16 hours), CFOT Specialist Outside Plant (16 hours), and CFOT Specialist Home (2 days). Sanctioned by the Fiber Optics Association (FOA) and recognized by the US Department of Labor.
• Workforce Solutions / Continuing Education Non-credit continuing education including courses for license holders (electricians, plumbers, HVAC at $75/course), customized business and industry training funded through KCTCS-TRAINS (companies pay 25%, fund covers 75%), and adult education/GED preparation.
• Transfer Pathways Articulation agreements and transfer guides with Kentucky public and private four-year universities, out-of-state partners, and the University Center of Southern Kentucky, enabling students to complete bachelor's degrees locally.
• Veterans Education Benefits Services Services supporting military service members, veterans, and their families in accessing GI Bill benefits, military tuition assistance, Kentucky tuition waiver, military training credit, and veteran-specific academic advising.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3D-printed homes cost $60-80 per square foot vs $180-225 for conventional construction
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered notable and core.

• Skyland 3DnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2025Skyland 3D collaborated with SCC professor Eric Wooldridge on the Floodbuster 1 project, a 3D-printed concrete home unveiled at Somerset Community College. The project was built in six days as a disaster-resilient prototype.
• RIC TechnologynotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2025RIC Technology collaborated with SCC on the Floodbuster 1 3D-printed concrete home project, contributing to the disaster-resilient housing solution developed with a $1.6 million USDA grant.
• University Center of Southern Kentucky (UCSK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCSK partnership allows students to start and finish bachelor's degrees locally. Students can transfer credits and complete four-year degrees without leaving the region through partnerships with universities.
• Kentucky Public Colleges and UniversitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKCTCS has established systemwide transfer agreements with Kentucky's eight public colleges and universities for seamless credit transfer across various program areas and majors.
• Kentucky Private Colleges and UniversitiesnotableChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransfer opportunities available through partnerships with many of Kentucky's private colleges and universities, expanding options for students seeking bachelor's degree completion.
• National Student ClearinghousecoreTechnology or IntegrationSCC partners with the National Student Clearinghouse for secure online transcript ordering. Students can order transcripts 24/7 using major credit cards through the Clearinghouse portal.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Big Sandy Community and Technical College: Sister KCTCS institution serving rural Eastern Kentucky with similar two-year associate degree, diploma, and certificate offerings, plus workforce development. Directly comparable as a public community college in the same Kentucky system serving a comparable rural Appalachian region.
• Hazard Community and Technical College: Another KCTCS community college serving rural Eastern Kentucky with similar healthcare, trades, and transfer pathways. Directly comparable in mission, funding model, tuition structure, and rural Appalachian service area.
• Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College: KCTCS sister institution in rural Southeastern Kentucky offering associate degrees, diplomas, and workforce training. Directly comparable public community college with overlapping service area, similar program mix, and shared KCTCS system governance.
• Bluegrass Community and Technical College: Largest KCTCS community college, also offering associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Direct peer within the same state system, with broader urban-suburban service area but identical tuition structure and program portfolio.
• Ashland Community and Technical College: KCTCS community college in Northeastern Kentucky with comparable program offerings, workforce training, and transfer pathways. Direct peer serving rural Kentucky with identical tuition and accreditation framework.

Regional players

• West Virginia Northern Community College: Public community college serving rural Appalachian communities in Northern West Virginia. Comparable rural Appalachian mission, workforce training focus, and similar low-tuition public-community-college business model, but operating in a different state system.
• Mountain Empire Community College: Virginia community college serving the rural Appalachian region of Southwest Virginia. Comparable rural Appalachian service population, workforce development mission, and tuition/funding model, but operating under Virginia's VCCS system.
• Volunteer State Community College: Tennessee community college with comparable associate-degree and workforce training programs in a rural-suburban service area. Comparable public community college structure with similar tuition economics, though operating under the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

Emerging players

• Penn Foster: Online for-profit career-focused education provider targeting adult learners and workforce credentials. Comparable in the workforce-training and credentialing space, but operates nationally online rather than in a regional in-person model — represents emerging competitive pressure on SCC's online tuition-equivalent offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit online university with extensive associate, bachelor's, and workforce credential programs. Comparable in offering accessible online associate-degree pathways at competitive prices, but operates nationally with broader portfolio including four-year degrees.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Somerset_Tweets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/somersetcc123
• Facebookfacebook.com/SomersetCC
• Instagraminstagram.com/somersetcc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Somerset Community College