LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s business community is pleased with the state’s best-in-the-nation college enrollment gains.
Workforce development has been a big issue globally for over a decade now, and universities are working to increase class sizes and overall enrollment and graduation rates for students.
Kentucky colleges had the highest fall-to-fall total enrollment gains in the U.S. this year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
College enrollment skyrocketed 5.6% overall throughout the state between fall 2022 and fall 2023. That was nearly three times the overall national enrollment growth of 2.0% that the NSC found.
Kentucky ranked first in undergraduate enrollment growth and second in graduate enrollment growth among states that are part of the Southern Regional Education Board interstate compact, according to a release this month from the Council on Postsecondary Education and posted at LaneReport.com.
These new numbers will in turn be great for Kentucky’s business economy, and many local officials and business owners agree.
Beth Davisson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation senior vice president, said the state chamber is thrilled to see Kentucky reach this achievement.
“This is a testament to the state’s commitment to education and workforce development,” Davisson said. “A well-educated and skilled workforce is the backbone of a thriving economy, and these enrollment gains reflect positively on our state’s efforts to invest in the future.”
Continuing with this investment, she said, will ensure the state remains a leader in fostering talent and innovation.
“The news that Kentucky has the highest overall college enrollment gains in the U.S. shows that not only are more Kentuckians seeking higher education, but our colleges and universities are also effectively recruiting students from out of the state – both of which are critical to the long-term success of our workforce,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI).
GLI Greater Louisville Inc. is excited to leverage the work of higher education partners, lawmakers and the business community to keep students in the region and state after graduation, Davasher-Wisdom said.
Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington Inc. said he did not find it surprising that Kentucky outpaced the rest of the nation in enrollment growth.
“Our state has historically recognized the importance that education plays in strengthening our economy,” Quick said. “Our higher education institutions are among the best in the nation, and they are true partners with the business community, as we work together to ensure that students have the right skills for the workforce of the future.”
Kristen Roberts is a Lane Report intern.
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