Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Big Goal: 60x30

Higher education drives innovation, strengthens the economy, creates wealth, reduces inequality, breaks cycles of poverty and enhances well-being. That's why we've set an attainment goal of 60% of the population with degrees and credentials by 2030 -- and we're making progress! Learn more >>

Latest News

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Session

Veteran Spotlight: Silas Session - Leading a lifetime of service

September 9, 2026

A retired Army Field Artillery Major with over 50 months of combat experience, Dr. Silas Session has spent his post-military career working in Academic Affairs for the Council on Postsecondary Education, followed by a role as Director of Military...

Interns

From the classroom to the workplace: Kentucky leaders share lessons on work-based learning

August 27, 2026

Students learn best about careers when they have opportunities to experience them firsthand. Recognizing the value of these experiences, CPE is working to expand and strengthen work-based learning opportunities across the state.

Student

CPE report: Dual credit gains expanding college opportunity for low-income Kentucky students

August 26, 2026

More low-income Kentucky students are successfully completing college courses before graduating high school, according to a new report.

Jaramillo

Veteran Spotlight: Arthur Jaramillo - Master’s Degree earned with GI Bill allows Kentuckian to help fellow veterans

August 13, 2026

After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University and serving five years as a Minuteman III missile combat officer in the U.S. Air Force, Arthur Jaramillo expected his leadership experience and skills...

Featured Event

Student Access Summit

Upcoming Meetings

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Legislative Review

CPE is accepting comments on 16 KAR 2:140. Research consortiums

Kentucky By the Numbers

  • 8Public Universities
  • 61%Six-Year Graduation Rate
  • 54K+Degrees Awarded in AY25
  • 16Community and Technical Colleges
  • 51%Three-Year Graduation Rate
  • 44KCredentials Awarded in AY25

Kentucky's Progress to the 60x30 Goal

Educational Attainment of Kentucky Adults (2024)

Graph of Kentucky's educational attainment, by level
Source: CPE Data, Research and Analytics Unit.

Changes in the Number of Kentucky Credential Holders

Change in attainment

Our President

Aaron Thompson
Dr. Aaron Thompson
"I believe that higher education unlocks the human potential, that college gives us the time and opportunity to explore our interests, to train for a career that challenges and inspires us. And it gives us a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life."

As a first-generation college student from rural Clay County, Kentucky, President Aaron Thompson experienced first-hand the transformative power of a college credential. Learn more about President Thompson >>

Kentucky's Strategic Agenda for Postsecondary Education

The strategic agenda serves as a blueprint to meet Kentucky’s educational attainment goal—to raise the percentage of Kentuckians with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by the year 2030. It identifies five strategic priorities for higher education that will guide innovation and improvement through 2030. Learn more about the strategic agenda >>

  • Transitions
  • Affordability
  • Success
  • Talent
  • Value

Making Higher Education Matter to Kentucky

Higher Education Matters, a statewide public awareness campaign in collaboration with Kentucky’s colleges and universities, is about promoting college going and elevating the importance of higher education to Kentucky’s residents and economy.