There are huge benefits that come from increasing one’s level of education- namely enhancing employment options and financial security. High-paying jobs are much easier to access with a post secondary degree.
In fact, households with at least one college graduate make more than $40,000 a year extra than those with no college graduates. Kentucky is well aware of economic benefits of their citizens having a higher education, and have undertaken the 60×30 effort to improve their residents’ access to post secondary degrees. This initiative aims to have 60% of its adult population hold a college degree by 2030.
This is especially a growing issue in Kentucky. Over the last decade, adult education enrollment has declined in their public universities by over 16,000 graduates in the 25-64 year old range. The state also runs the risk of having a massive employment gap open up.
Although just 55% of people in the state currently hold a college degree, 63% of job postings in the state will require a post-secondary degree by 2031. Kentucky is already among the top 10 states for job vacancies, which will only continue to grow if it does not improve its education rates.
Furthermore, 30% of Kentuckians make less than $35,000 a year, which is less than the livable wage. The percentage of people living in poverty is significantly higher among those with less education—34% of people with less than a high school diploma, 12% of people with some college experience or an associate’s degree, and only 5% of people with a bachelor’s degree or more.
A major obstacle for many adult learners is finding inexpensive child care and handling the costs of college, which can reach $6,000 per year after financial aid. Other difficulties include juggling school with work and family obligations. Adults who are returning to school may also have difficulty with academic skills and need extra help, such as math and English gateway courses.
Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative
