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Q&A with Destiny O'Rourke
June 30, 2022
Destiny O’Rourke, director of CPE’s Kentucky Advising Academy, talks about CPE's latest initiative aimed at providing professional development and networking opportunities for school counselors and all P-12 educators in postsecondary education...
President’s message: Reimagining the college student
June 30, 2022
If you ask most people to envision a college student, they’ll picture a young person fresh out of high school, living in a dorm room and attending class during the day to earn their four-year degree. But this narrow vision of who belongs in college...
Grant helps Kentucky colleges improve online courses
June 23, 2022
New grant funding from CPE is helping public colleges and universities ensure their online course offerings are high-quality and prepare students for success.
CPE associate vice president named to Leadership Kentucky Class of 2022
June 22, 2022
Rick W. Smith Sr., associate vice president of workforce and economic development at the Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education, is among the 51 members of the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2022.
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Kentucky By the Numbers
- 8Public Universities
- 55%Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 27K+Degrees Awarded in AY21
- 16Community and Technical Colleges
- 34%Three-Year Graduation Rate
- 39K+Credentials Awarded in AY21
Kentucky's Progress to the 60x30 Goal
Educational Attainment of Kentucky Adults (2019)
Increases in the Number of Credential Holders
To reach Kentucky's goal of 60% with a credential by 2030, the number of Kentucky adults with a credential needs to increase 1.7% each year until 2030. Until the pandemic, the Commonwealth has surpassed this need since establishment of the goal in 2016.
| 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7% | 2.8% | 3.5% | 3.3% | .5% |
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.