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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Tuition and fees approved by CPE for multiple campuses

Tuition and fees approved by CPE for multiple campuses

June 24, 2024

CPE approved tuition and mandatory fee proposals submitted by six public universities and KCTCS for the 2024-25 academic year.

FAFSA

Summer help available for students trying to complete FAFSA, financial aid process

May 30, 2024

To help ensure students can successfully submit a FAFSA and begin college in the fall confident in the amount of funding they will receive, GUK and KHEAA are partnering throughout the month of June to provide FAFSA completion and financial aid assist...

Students

CPE study shows more Kentucky students graduating without debt

May 14, 2024

According to a new CPE report more students are completing an undergraduate credential debt free, and of those with debt, amounts have declined.

Aaron Thompson

CPE President Aaron Thompson received award from the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education

May 1, 2024

CPE president Dr. Aaron Thompson recently received the Wendell Thomas Award from the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE) at their recent annual conference.

Featured Event

Career Services Summer Convening

Upcoming Events

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Kentucky Student Success Collaborative Events

Kentucky Advising Academy Events

Legislative News

Changes to administrative regulations for Ky's performance funding model


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 (2022)

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

Increases 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 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

  • Hand with wallet Earnings: College graduates earn more and are less likely to be unemployed and rely on public assistance.
  • Woman with tying cross trainers Health: College graduates are more likely to have access to better healthcare, exercise and enjoy better health.
  • Person showing I voted button Civic Responsibility: College graduates are more likely to vote, donate to charity and be civically engaged.
  • Person reading to child Literacy: College graduates are more likely to read to their children and be more supportive of their education overall.
  • Female employee Employment: College graduates are more likely to find jobs and stay employed, even in a down economy.
  • Capitol dome Economy: The state gains more from college graduates through higher earnings and less dependence on public assistance.