Kentucky has had a notable 40% decline in adult college enrollment from 2014 to 2024. 66% of the state’s 1.4 million adult non-degree holders have never attended college, while 33% have some college credits, but have never completed their degree. This development presents significant concerns, such as the possibility of future labor shortages for jobs requiring post secondary education and a potentially large number of households who will find it difficult to make a livable wage without access to higher-paying jobs. Kentucky wants to raise the number of citizens with a post-secondary degree to 60% by 2030 to address these problems.
Adult learners may encounter various obstacles in their pursuit of higher education. Adult attendance might be difficult for learners due to conflicts between class scheduling and family obligations. High childcare expenses make it difficult for adult students to justify leaving their children to go to school. Work obligations are another difficulty since many adult learners require flexible class times because of their work hours. 79% of adult undergraduates are enrolled in part-time work, highlighting the necessity of classes with flexible schedules. The cost of college is also a major financial hardship; in Kentucky, the average unmet need for students attending public universities is over $6,000. Kentucky must overcome these challenges if it is to raise the percentage of workers with college degrees and boost its economy.
