Kentucky higher education matters: The Council's most recent study shows how a college credential benefits both the individual student and the state as a whole.
What is higher education in Kentucky?
When most people think of higher education, they think of an 18 year-old heading off
to a university, living on campus in a dorm, going to school full-time for four to
five years. However, Kentucky has many options outside of that assumption that fall
under the category of "higher education." These can be an adult enrolling in an online
degree program part-time, a high school graduate participating in an apprenticeship
program or a student pursuing a technical certificate or associate degree at a KCTCS
college.
To learn more about the depth and breadth of Kentucky's higher education institutions, view the Council's inventory of institutions:
- Kentucky's public universities and community colleges
- In-state and out-of-state schools licensed by the Council to operate in Kentucky
- All academic programs offered by Kentucky's licensed postsecondary institutions
Benefits of higher education in Kentucky
Those with a college degree earn more than high school graduates.
Immediate earnings
At the end of eight years, those with a bachelor's degree were earning on average $12,000 more than high school graduates. For associate degree holders, it was $8,000 more. Our research takes into consideration that many college students work while in school, which accounts for the lower levels of income in the graph below. However, once college students graduate within three to six years and begin working full-time, their earnings increase at a much faster and higher rate than a high school graduate.
Earnings based on major
In general, individuals majoring in high-demand health, STEM and trades earn higher starting salaries than those majoring in the arts and humanities and social sciences. However, numerous national studies have shown these differences narrow over time.
Earnings over a lifetime
A true investment amount takes into account total out-of-pocket (net) cost of a college education, as well as the income lost as a result of attending school. Even taking into consideration the cost to attend college, lost earnings and possible student loan interest, college graduates have a greater return on investment over a high school graduate.
Over a lifetime, a bachelor's degree graduate earns $1.2 million more than a high school graduate, even after taking into account deferred entry into the workforce and the cost for a college degree. Associate degree graduates earn $422,00 more once these factors are taken into account.
The state's return on investment for one cohort of college-goers is $42.8 billion, or 68 times the initial investment.
The net General Fund appropriation per full--time equivalent student is the standard method used to estimate the state's per-student funding for public higher education institutions.
Kentucky invested about $544 million in the cohort through General Fund appropriations to public colleges and universities, and another $86 million through financial aid, which is funded by lottery proceeds. In exchange for this $630 million state investment, the cohort will contribute nearly $43 billion to the state economy through taxes and spending over a lifetime. That is a return on investment 68 times over.
It should be noted that General Fund appropriations for public colleges and universities were reduced 18% during the period of this study. These cuts have shifted more of the financial responsibility for college onto students and their families. As a result, college affordability suffered.
State benefits by credential
Compared to a high school graduate, who contributes $917,000 to the state's economy over a lifetime, an associate degree holder contributes $283,000 more, and a bachelor's degree holder contributes $783,000 more.
A college-educated Kentuckian contributes to, rather than burdens, the state's economy over a lifetime.
College graduates are much less likely to receive unemployment insurance or participate in entitlement programs. In 2017, 85% of those Kentuckians who were unemployed or out of the labor force did not have a college credential. Residents without a college credential accounted for 88% of SNAP recipients, 86% of Medicaid recipients and 94% of SSI (disability) recipients.
Overall benefits of higher education to the state and individual
(Not included in the Kentucky Higher Education's Return on Investment Report.)
Health
- College graduates are three times less likely to suffer from fair or poor health compared to a high school graduate.
- College graduates are twice as likely to exercise compared to high school graduates.
- College graduates are three times less likely to smoke compared to college graduates.
- College graduates are half as likely to suffer from coronary heart disease compared to high school graduates.
- College graduates are half as likely to suffer from diabetes compared to high school graduates.
Source: 2018 Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. Kentucky Department for Public Health.
Civic Engagement
- College graduates are twice as likely to volunteer within their communities than high school graduates, often using college to launch their volunteerism. In fact more than 70% of students donate their time to a good cause while in school.
- College graduates are more likely to be engaged in political life and are more likely to vote. Approximately 75% of college graduates vote regularly in local elections, compared to 50% of high school graduates.
- College graduates are three times more likely to serve in leadership roles within their local schools, community and religious organizations.
- Each year, 40% of college graduates give on average $1,300 to charitable organizations.
Source: AGB Guardians Initiative.
Job Preparation
- Nationally, 99% of jobs created after the Great Recession have gone to employees with more than a high school diploma.
- As of 2020, approximately 65% of Kentucky jobs require a postsecondary education or advanced training.
- College graduates are more likely to engage in personal and professional learning opportunities throughout their lives.
Source: Recovery: Job Growth and Education Requirements through 2020. Center for Education and the Workforce, Georgetown University.
Legacy
- College graduates are more likely to read to their children and be engaged in their academic success. Toddlers whose parents had an advanced degree were 12 percentage points more likely to have been read to three or more times more frequently than children whose parents had only a high school diploma.
- Children whose parents had a bachelor’s degree were 12 percentage points more likely to have visited a library at least once in the past month than children whose parents had only a high school diploma.
- Children of college graduates are 13 percentage points more likely to be enrolled in preschool programs compared to those of high school graduates.
- Children of parents with higher levels of educational attainment are more likely than other children to engage in a variety of educational activities with their family members.
- Children of college graduates are twice as likely to visit art galleries, museums, historical sites and other extracurricular learning activities compared to those of high school graduates.
- Children whose parents attended college are 85% more likely to attend college or university themselves.
Source: The College Board.
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