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President’s Message: We must increase dual credit access for underrepresented student populations
May 4, 2023
Kentucky is making great strides in expanding dual credit participation. CPE’s President discusses how far we’ve come and where CPE plans to go in his latest message.

Advising Kentucky’s college advisors: A Q&A with Kentucky Advising Academy Director Mitzi Holland
May 4, 2023
After a year in the field training advisors and counselors, Kentucky Advising Academy’s director Mitzi Holland shares what she and her staff have learned about the needs of those providing college and career advising.

Strengthening Kentucky’s dual credit efforts
May 4, 2023
Kentucky has a dual credit attainment goal – now what? National dual credit expert Alex Perry discusses the state’s challenges, successes and suggested next steps for its dual credit programs.

Kentucky faculty and staff chosen to participate in Academic Leadership Academy
April 24, 2023
CPE is pleased to announce that 65 faculty and staff representing 18 colleges and universities are participating in Bluegrass Tomorrow’s Academic Leadership Academy (ALA)
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Kentucky By the Numbers
- 8Public Universities
- 58%Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 29K+Degrees Awarded in AY22
- 16Community and Technical Colleges
- 40%Three-Year Graduation Rate
- 38K+Credentials Awarded in AY22
Kentucky's Progress to the 60x30 Goal
Educational Attainment of Kentucky Adults (2021)

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.