Kentucky postsecondary enrollment numbers continues to rise
Republished from WEKU.
Enrollment numbers continue to rise for both public and private institutions of higher learning in Kentucky. Kentucky public universities saw an almost 4% increase in the current fall semester. It was just about a 5% increase within the state’s community and technical college system. Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson said efforts are being made to adjust to the enrollment cliff when the number of high school graduates is expected to start declining.
“So, we put a lot of policies toward out-of-state, toward adult learners, toward really what we could do on this value proposition of telling people that college is worth it. Our whole strategic agenda has been targeted around outcomes and enrollment is one of those,” said Thompson.
Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities President Mason Dyer said private school enrollment the first semester of 2024 increased just over 6%. Thompson said increasing both public and private student numbers helps in the overall goal of reaching a much higher college attainment level.
Thompson said this fall’s numbers follow gains made during the last academic year. While student loan forgiveness is not a talking point now, Thompson said universities are doing all in their control to help lessen student debt.
“We still have so many students, whether they knew what they were doing or not. They stopped out and they stopped out with student debt. So, how do we actually help them from a university and college viewpoint, to help them get rid of that, so they can return and get a degree that matters,” said Thompson.
The CPE leader noted overall student debt in Kentucky last year fell by 33%. Thompson added the aim is to see educational attainment grow with enrollment to meet workforce needs in the future.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
