Kentucky Education Leader Addressed Declining Enrollment
Council on Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson outlined strategies to combat falling high school graduate counts.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Council on Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson recently warned college leaders that Kentucky faces a significant decline in the number of high school graduates. The state must increase its college-going rate to 53 percent by 2040 to offset a projected 10.5 percent drop in the graduate pool.
Why it matters
Higher education serves as a critical economic driver in Kentucky, with every dollar invested yielding $4.50 in tax revenue and $17 in local consumer spending. Maintaining enrollment is essential for the future economic stability of the state as the population of students shifts.
The share of working-age Kentuckians with postsecondary credentials has risen to 55 percent, up from 45 percent in 2013. Bachelor's degree holders in the state earn roughly $1.2 million more over their careers than high school graduates.
The players
Aaron Thompson
He serves as the President of the Council on Postsecondary Education.
Council on Postsecondary Education
This state body coordinates and leads the higher education system in Kentucky.
The details
To address these trends, the state is launching proactive admissions to notify students of their eligibility for postsecondary institutions. Additionally, officials are expanding the Futuriti.org resource to better track student skills and academic interests.
Timeline
1997: House Bill 1 created the Council on Postsecondary Education.
2013: Working-age Kentuckians with credentials reached 45 percent.
September 29, 2026: Aaron Thompson delivered the State of Higher Education address at the Owensboro Convention Center.
2030: Target deadline for half of each graduating class to complete a dual credit course.
2040: Projected target year for managing the decline in high school graduate numbers.
Culture Shift
This focus on enrollment targets marks a continuation of the strategic framework set by Kentucky House Bill 1 of 1997. The state is now pivoting from past expansion efforts to a defensive posture aimed at maintaining levels in a shrinking demographic landscape.
High school students across Kentucky may soon notice more proactive communication regarding their college eligibility and potential financial pathways. These institutional shifts are designed to streamline the transition to career-focused education and improve individual long-term earning potential.
The takeaway
Students should prioritize dual credit opportunities early in their high school careers to save on future costs and improve their post-graduation prospects. Taking advantage of state-provided career tracking resources can help align individual interests with the changing needs of the economy.
What happens next
The state aims to have half of every high school graduating class complete at least one dual credit course by 2030.
Further reading
Learn more about support and resources for students at Financial Aid.
More information
Access tracking tools and academic planning resources on the Kentucky college and career resource portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Floyd Chronicle & Times.
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