FRANKFORT, Kentucky, March 3, 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.

 

Undergraduate enrollment increased 3.7% to 34,228 while overall enrollment reached a record 59,477 at the 18 institutions that make up the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities.

 

“In a year where there was so much uncertainty around the rollout of the new FAFSA form, there was good news for AIKCU campuses,” said AIKCU President Mason Dyer. “Students and families continue to see great value in an independent college education, as evidenced by these strong enrollment numbers for the sector.”

 

AIKCU Fall 2024 Numbers at a Glance

• 3.7% increase to 34,228 in undergraduate enrollment.

• Record 59,477 in total headcount enrollment, a 0.6% increase.

• 11.2% increase in underrepresented minority undergraduate enrollment.

• 21.1% increase in adult (25-64), nontraditional undergraduate enrollment.

• AIKCU increases contributed to a 3.9% increase in Kentucky’s overall statewide enrollment of both public and independent institutions.

• 69% increase in overall enrollment (undergraduate and graduate) from Fall 2014-Fall 2024.

 

Resources

The Enrollment section of the CPE Data Center takes a deeper dive into various categories, including residency status, dual credit, and full/part time. CPE also provides details on statewide trends and public sector enrollments in its Fall 2024 Final Enrollment Brief and news release.

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About AIKCU

Kentucky's independent, nonprofit colleges and universities play a critical role in the commonwealth’s postsecondary education system by serving 59,000 students and awarding more than 15,000 degrees annually. They also have a $2 billion annual economic impact on the state and local economies. AIKCU's mission is to advance the interests of its 18 member institutions by promoting affordability and student success through policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and community engagement.