Latest News
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CPE, public universities develop statewide strategic priorities to support student mental health
March 13, 2025
KYSSC, an initiative of CPE, recently released a statewide strategy in consultation with JED to address growing mental health challenges on Kentucky campuses.
16 higher education professionals selected for CPE’s Academic Leadership Development Institute
March 6, 2025
Sixteen faculty and professional staff members from public universities and community and technical colleges across Kentucky were selected to participate in the 2025 ALDI cohort.
Postsecondary degrees and credentials up 6.4% over previous year
February 27, 2025
Kentucky’s public and private colleges and universities conferred a total of 89,313 degrees and credentials in academic year (AY) 2023-24, up 6.4 percent from the previous year.
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education develops new tools to help students prepare for college and careers
February 25, 2025
With just over half of Kentucky’s high school graduates going directly to college, CPE's KAA has developed new tools to help students explore college and career options as early as middle school.
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Legislative News
Changes to administrative regulations re: Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Investment Fund
Kentucky By the Numbers
- 8Public Universities
- 58%Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 30K+Degrees Awarded in AY23
- 16Community and Technical Colleges
- 40%Three-Year Graduation Rate
- 40KCredentials Awarded in AY23
Kentucky's Progress to the 60x30 Goal
Educational Attainment of Kentucky Adults (2023)
Increases in the Number of Kentucky Credential Holders
Our President
"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 with an additional one as a cross-cutting priority (equity) for higher education that will guide innovation and improvement through 2030. Learn more about the strategic agenda >>
- Transitions
- Affordability
- Success
- Talent
- Equity
- 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. Check out the website at KYHigherEDMatters.org for student resources, links to campuses, and marketing resources for our ambassadors.
Why Higher Ed Matters
Earnings: College graduates earn more and are less likely to be unemployed and rely on public
assistance.
Health: College graduates are more likely to have access to better healthcare, exercise and
enjoy better health.
Civic Responsibility: College graduates are more likely to vote, donate to charity and be civically engaged.
Literacy: College graduates are more likely to read to their children and be more supportive
of their education overall.
Employment: College graduates are more likely to find jobs and stay employed, even in a down
economy.
Economy: The state gains more from college graduates through higher earnings and less dependence
on public assistance.