Announcing AIKCU's New Bottom Line:
Kentucky's 18 independent colleges and universities contribute $2.06 BILLION to state's economy
The Power of Independent Colleges
Kentucky’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities are changing the trajectory of individual lives, families, and communities.
AIKCU is proud to support our 18 member institutions in their efforts.
Introducing AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2025
Congrats to the 18 inaugural members of the AIKCU
Advancing Leaders Program! AIKCU launched the program to help its member schools prepare promising mid- to senior-level managers take on even greater leadership roles in independent higher education.
Learn more here.
What We Do
ADVOCATE
We serve as the voice of Kentucky's independent colleges and universities, advocating for policies that recognize the sector's critical role and help students access and afford a distinctive,
high-quality education.
CONNECT
We provide opportunities for member affiliate groups to meet in person
and online to share experiences and
best practices with colleagues from other institutions.
COLLABORATE
We coordinate cost-saving agreements with businesses and vendors to save our members time and money on a wide range of goods, services, and
insurance products.
News
Enrollment up for second year in row at Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities
April 2, 2025
For the second year in a row, Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities have seen an increase in enrollment. After a big jump in enrollment for Fall 2023, the sector saw another increase for Fall 2024, according to new data from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Presidents from Kentucky's independent colleges meet with members of Congress during Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
March 3, 2025
Presidents from Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities continued an annual tradition Feb. 4 when they met with Kentucky’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.
AIKCU announces ‘remarkable’ economic impact of Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities
Jan. 31, 2025
Kentucky’s 18 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities contribute $2.06 billion
to the state and local economies, according to a report released by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities.
6 AIKCU institutions receive funds for healthcare summer programs
Jan. 21, 2025
Six AIKCU colleges and universities have been awarded $235,418 by the Council on Postsecondary Education to hold summer residential programs on campus focused on healthcare-related fields.
INSIDE AIKCU Blog
AIKCU President Mason Dyer talks about independent higher ed in Kentucky
Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities have 'remarkable' impact on state economy | April 7, 2025
