Kentucky’s economic future is facing uncertainty due to a scarcity of higher education among the state’s residents. Only 55% of the population has a post secondary degree or credential, which can present a problem for Kentucky’s job market. It is projected that 63% of available jobs within the state will require higher education. If the rates of education don’t rise to meet this criteria, there is a risk of many of the jobs going unfilled. Kentucky is already in the top 10 states with job vacancies, and this deficit could grow worse. In response, Kentucky launched the 60×30 effort, which aims to ensure 60% of the state’s adult population has a post-secondary education by 2030.
Over the last ten years, Kentucky has experienced a 16,000 person decrease of undergraduates between the ages of 26 and 64. Numerous factors contribute to this loss, such as the difficulty adult learners experience juggling work, family obligations, and school. College is also very expensive, often costing more than $6,000 annually. Adult learners also struggle to adapt again to an education environment after being removed for years. Due to all of these factors, adult learners have a 4x lower chance of completing their degree compared to their younger counterparts that pursue a degree right after high school.
