Kentucky is taking on an aggressive initiative to have 60% of their adult population obtain a postsecondary degree or certification by 2030. This is called the 60×30 effort, and it is aiming to not only improve educational achievement throughout the state, but also improve its economic conditions. Currently, Kentucky’s workforce and economic stability are at jeopardy due to a severe lack of higher education among residents.
There are a lot of job vacancies in Kentucky, as many of the available opportunities require a post secondary education. In fact, 63% of jobs within the state are projected to require a higher education by 2031, but just 55% of adult residents meet this requirement. It is also important to have higher rates of degree attainment, as it lowers the likelihood of living in poverty. 52% of people with a high school education or lower live in poverty, compared to only 5% of those with a Bachelor’s degree. In general, college graduates’ households make roughly $40,000 more money a year than non-graduate households do.
The number of adults attending college has drastically decreased during the last ten years. Among undergraduates aged 26 to 64, Kentucky has experienced a decrease of 16,000 adult students between 2014 and 2024. Factors include the time restrictions brought on by family obligations and work schedules. The financial burden of college is also a factor; the average unmet need for a college student in Kentucky is over $6,000 a year. Adults who have taken a long break from school may also find it difficult to join an academic environment. They typically need remedial classes for core courses like math and English. All of these factors contribute to the 4x lower likelihood of an adult learner completing their postsecondary education compared to students enrolling directly after high school.
