Fall enrollment hits record at Kentucky colleges

By Nancy C. Rodriguez • nrodriguez@courier-journal.com • September 28, 2009

Total enrollment in Kentucky’s public and independent postsecondary education institutions reached a record high of 254,560 students this fall, based on a preliminary enrollment report released Monday by the Council on Postsecondary Education.

The estimated count is an increase of 12,970 students, more than a 5 percent increase over last year and a 40 percent increase over 10 years.

“This growth in enrollment is a very welcome development,” said CPE President Bob King, in a press release. “It is now our challenge to support these new students with adequate faculty, career advisors, and available courses so they can earn the degrees they seek.”

According to the report, undergraduate enrollment increased nearly 6 percent over last year, while graduate enrollment posted more than a 3 percent gain. The official enrollment report will be available in January 2010.

“All of this bodes well for enhancing the Commonwealth's economic recovery, creating the best educated and best trained workforce, exactly what 21st century employers are looking for,” King said.

The largest growth was seen at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which estimates that enrollment increased by more than 11 percent, pushing total students to more than 100,000 for the first time.

Other highlights of the report include:

*Public universities saw modest growth of 2 percent over last year.

*Notable overall growth was seen at Kentucky State University and Western Kentucky University, 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively, with significant growth at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

*Graduate enrollment was flat at the research universities, but has grown at those comprehensive universities that have added new graduate programs in education.

*Member institutions of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities saw modest growth at the undergraduate level, but several institutions’ expansion of graduate programs produced an 11 percent increase in graduate enrollments in this sector.

Reporter Nancy Rodriguez can be reached at (502) 582-7079.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090928/NEWS0105/909280330/1008/NEWS01/Fall+enrollment+hits+record+at+Kentucky+colleges