KCTCS sees 8 percent spike in enrollment for fall semester

Enrollment at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System has grown by 8.4 percent compared to this time last year.

KCTCS says their total enrollment for the beginning of fall semester accounts for 66,114 students, accounting for around 5,000 more than last year.

It expects more than 85,000 total students to be enrolled as more programs start. That marks a ten-year high for the 16-college system.

Christopher Hetherington is the system’s executive director for strategic enrollment. He credits the spike to recovery from COVID, more online classes and more help with financial aid.

“The FAFSA simplification rollout was a concern across the higher education space,” Hetherington said. “We kind of worked aggressively on reaching out to ensure that our current students applied for their financial aid for the new year, as they move forward.”

KCTCS reports the biggest shift over the last few years comes from high schoolers taking dual credit classes.

This year, they grew by 11.6 percent and accounted for nearly a quarter of the enrollment total. They’re expected to account for 35 percent of the system’s student body by the end of the semester.

“There’s also been a lot of work at the Center for Postsecondary Education on the value of dual credit, or high school enrollment,” Hetherington said. “And what that research has shown is that students who enroll as a high school student are going to be more successful.”

KCTCS enrollment for adults aged 25 and older also grew by 10.4 percent, now making up almost another third of its student body at 32 percent of total enrollment. Underrepresented minority enrollment is also up by nearly 15.8 percent.

They’re also seeing enrollment boosts in what the system calls the Commonwealth’s “target industry sectors,” including advanced manufacturing, business and IT services, construction, healthcare and transportation.

** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation .