There are a few states that struggle with postsecondary education in the United States. Sometimes it’s a matter of the popular industries, sometimes it’s a cultural issue, sometimes a financial one. Kentucky is one state which has historically had a low postsecondary education rate. Yet recently, the state has taken it upon itself to set a goal to change that.
A population where 60% of the workforce has a postsecondary credential. This is Kentucky’s goal by 2030. It’s a goal which would change Kentucky’s educational position in the United States massively. A postsecondary credential doesn’t just encapsulate a college degree, but any license or certificate at all. The intent and effect of this is clear, more educated people make more and spend more.
It benefits not just the state but the consumers themselves to have this goal met. And already the state is making progress. The attainment rate in 2023 already reached 55%, a 4.8% increase. This moved Kentucky away from being one of the least educated states in the nation, and progress hasn’t stopped there. The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative has recently raised millions to help college students make their way to graduation.
Changes like securing basic needs for students, creating better transfer pathways, and improving gateway courses are all helpful measures. These changes make it clear that Kentucky is interested in college degrees explicitly. Currently, the state is on track to reach their goal by 2030. However, the really interesting question to ask is what happens next for the state.
