The University of Pikeville is a private university in Pikeville, Kentucky, with roots in an educational institution founded in 1889. It began as Pikeville Collegiate Institute, later became Pikeville College, and adopted its current university name in 2011.
Its development from a regional college into a university included an expansion of professional education. The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in the 1990s, and the Kentucky College of Optometry welcomed its first class in 2016. Those schools help explain why UPIKE now enrolls students pursuing professional credentials as well as undergraduate degrees. Applicants should evaluate admission requirements and costs for their particular program rather than assume university-wide figures apply to every school.
UPIKE offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional study across liberal arts, business, education, health fields, and other subjects. Its academic organization includes the College of Arts and Sciences, Coleman College of Business, Patton College of Education, Elliott School of Nursing, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Kentucky College of Optometry.
Undergraduate fields represented in university and federal program information include biology, business administration, criminal justice, education, psychology, social work, communication, and the arts. The osteopathic medicine and optometry colleges train students for distinct licensed professions; their admissions processes, calendars, tuition, and clinical requirements differ from those of typical undergraduate majors.
A prospective student comparing majors should check the current academic catalog for the credential awarded, required courses, clinical or field placements, and any separate application to enter a major. Admission to UPIKE does not by itself establish eligibility for every professional or limited-enrollment program.
UPIKE is located in Pikeville, a small city in eastern Kentucky's Appalachian region. Its campus is integrated into the city rather than set apart in a large metropolitan area, giving students access to local services while making transportation planning important.
Students considering off-campus jobs, clinical placements, or travel home should check the distances involved and whether they will need a car. First-year students are permitted to register or park a vehicle on campus, although parking arrangements and charges should be confirmed separately. Prospective students traveling from outside the region should plan their entire ground journey as well as their flight; a nearby major-airport listing does not mean the airport is close to campus.
UPIKE describes its educational purpose in terms of preparing students for learning, service, and leadership, with particular attention to its Appalachian setting. The institution has Presbyterian roots, which are part of its history and stated identity; applicants should consult the university's current mission statement for its precise wording.
That purpose appears in the university's combination of undergraduate study and professional training in fields such as medicine, optometry, nursing, and education. A mission statement explains an institution's priorities, not a measurable guarantee about an individual student's academic or career outcome.
Name of the institution
University of PikevilleLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: RemoteInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Protestant (Presbyterian Church of U.S.A.)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1989University of Pikeville is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.