Recently released data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) shows that Kentucky had the highest total enrollment increase in the nation from last fall to fall.
From fall 2022 to fall 2023, Kentucky colleges saw an overall enrollment increase of 5.6%. By comparison, the national average for colleges and universities increased by just 2.1%.
A quick look at the growth rates of some of the commonwealth's schools shows how Kentucky rose to national prominence. At the University of Kentucky, since 2010, enrollment has trended up by 21%. Murray State University's 2023-24 freshman class is the largest in history, reflecting a 21% increase. Eastern Kentucky University saw a nearly 30% increase in freshman enrollment.
And while U.S. community colleges are struggling in the post-COVID-19 situation, Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) has seen enrollment increase by 7.8%, leading to a recent national This is significantly higher than the average of 4.4%.
Like many other universities in Kentucky, Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business is adapting to change and promoting the Commonwealth as a leading option for higher education.
“We listened intently to the needs of the business community and expanded our course offerings to include majors and certifications in high-demand fields such as supply chain management, cybersecurity, data analytics, sales, and certified financial planning. ,” Interim Dean Evelyn Thrasher said.
“This continued growth and success is driven by more than just the numbers, it is the transformative experiences we offer at Western Kentucky University and the Gordon Ford College of Business, empowering students to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.” ,” Thrasher said. “As we continue to evolve and innovate, we remain dedicated to developing talent, cultivating excellence, developing thought leaders and forming the next generation of business professionals.”
Developing critical thinkers
Asbury University welcomes near-record numbers of traditional undergraduates to the fall 2023 class and continues growth in online and graduate programs.
“We continually hear from people who aspire to a liberal arts, Christian education that emphasizes academic rigor, instruction, and whole-person development,” said Abby Laub, director of strategic communications at Asbury. “We also continue to hear from employers that the type of students this environment produces is ideal for their workforce. They need well-rounded critical thinkers, and our graduates Advance into high-impact careers and professions. We also prioritize Kentucky's workforce needs with programs such as pharmacy, nursing, and engineering mathematics, which have a direct impact on enrollment. Masu.”
The University of Kentucky has played a key role in recent enrollment growth trends, with overall enrollment increasing by more than 1,000 students from fall 2022 to fall 2023, resulting in approximately A record number of 34,000 people attended.
This recent growth is an example of a wider trend in the UK over the past decade and a half. Since autumn 2010, UK-wide registration numbers have increased by around 21%, from just over 28,000 in autumn 2010 to nearly 34,000 in autumn 2023.
“We've seen an increase in both graduate and undergraduate students,” said Todd Brann, UK's chief analytics officer. “Graduate student growth is due in part to online programs and increased enrollment. In the undergraduate field, UK is increasing the number of new students coming to UK from Kentucky, making it an option for out-of-state students as well. And perhaps most importantly, improved retention and graduation rates are contributing to boosting enrollment and demonstrating UK's commitment to student success. Last year, for the first time in our history, our school We achieved a six-year graduation rate of 70%, which puts us among the top 100 (and top 20%) public institutions in the country, based on the most recent data.”
Affordability and support generate growth
The University of the Cumberlands has the third highest enrollment in Kentucky, with a total enrollment of 20,504 students in fall 2023, representing a 14% increase compared to the period covered by the NSC data. Much of this growth can be attributed to Cumberland's focus on student success, with a particular focus on transfer and retention. Leslie Reiser, executive vice president of organizational development, said:
“We are focused on putting students first, from the first inquiry to graduation,” said Jonathan Shores, executive vice president of enrollment management at Cumberlands. “We offer high-quality academic programs that are often innovative and meet workforce needs, creating greater opportunities for our graduates, especially here in Kentucky. program is probably one of the most affordable in the state. Prospective students and their families want to know that their investment in education is worth it, and here at Cumberland we We will definitely prove that there is value.”
Eastern Kentucky University's growth has been strategic and intentional, with priorities focused on affordability, support services and the innovative Exceptional Eastern Experience (E3) program. These priorities have inspired the creation and expansion of cost-saving programs for students, the addition of new and innovative programs to the university's repertoire, and a campus environment thriving with student events.
In an effort to remove financial barriers to higher education, EKU has expanded EKU BookSmart, a free textbook program, to all degree-seeking students. With data showing that the average undergraduate student spends more than $1,200 annually on textbooks, EKU BookSmart estimates that he will reduce total cost of attendance by 9.7% from 2019 to 2024, reducing the total cost for students to $4,300. Saved a million dollars.
In addition to providing free textbooks, EKU awarded more than $38.5 million in scholarships and fellowships last year.
“Education fosters personal growth, social advancement, the continued pursuit of knowledge, and empowers students to make meaningful contributions to their communities,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Our mission is to provide Kentuckians with accessible, cost-effective options and to be a 'School of Opportunity' that ensures that investments in education have strong returns and long-term benefits for students and the commonwealth. It is to function as a.”
Over the past year, Murray State University has received national recognition for its quality and value. US News and World Reports, forbes and washington monthly. This year, Murray State awarded a record $127 million in financial aid and scholarships, with 99 percent of first-year students receiving financial aid or scholarships.
Affordability and accessibility continue to be key pillars and priorities for Murray. In fact, 53% of Murray's students graduate debt-free, making them the top performer in the state for this metric.
“Our 2023-24 freshman class is the largest in Murray State history, reflecting a 21% year-over-year increase, the largest percentage increase of any public university in Kentucky,” said Murray State University President Bob. This is the highest total enrollment since 2017.” Jackson.
“Despite national enrollment headwinds, enrollment continues to grow significantly due to efforts in many areas on campus. We have set records for enrollment in specific programs, including the Statewide Excellence program in , as well as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which recently admitted its largest cohort in history.”
Strong presence in online learning
The adoption of the Common Application is one of the recent admissions changes at Western Kentucky University. The Common Application is the most widely used university application countywide. Undergraduate students can apply to her more than 1,000 member universities in all 50 states.
“We are seeing an increase in the number of applications being submitted to our institution,” said Ethan Logan, WKU vice president for admissions and student experience. “So there's really good momentum right now and we're increasing our penetration into the market for recruiting students.”
“We have to work hard to provide opportunities to go out and meet students and introduce them to Western Kentucky. This is true for every school in the state. For example: Louisville and Kentucky are renowned institutions and nationally recognized research universities. Some of you may have heard of Western Kentucky thanks to Kentucky's history and tradition, but it's time to bring it to a new generation of students. It is our duty to reintroduce ourselves, and all of Kentucky's universities are united and working diligently to ensure that we can continue to foster student engagement.”
Located in northern Kentucky, Thomas More University has strived to be “local.”
“For the 2023 freshman class, we focused on recruiting locally and admitting the best students from right here in Kentucky's backyard,” said Justin Vogel, director of admissions at Thomas More University. . “In doing so, we increased our academic profile and he was able to increase the number of Kentuckians in our first-year cohort by more than 10 percent.”
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is focused on expanding access and closing opportunity and workforce gaps by offering a wide range of affordable, high-quality academic and technical programs.
“It's great news that Kentucky led the nation in enrollment growth this year,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles.
“Our investment in a strong online learning presence has certainly been a ray of hope as we quickly transitioned to online learning during the pandemic and continues to grow,” Quarles said. “A notable increase in hybrid options has allowed us to retain current students and attract new students. According to the latest data, KCTCS, the state's largest online learning provider, currently has 63% of students Take at least one online class, with 36% of students enrolled exclusively online.
“This collective achievement is rewarding because it represents a very strategic policy and intentional effort that many people have spent literally years crafting.”
