Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education report urges retention of tech graduates
A new report from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) finds that while Kentucky is producing a sizable number of technical graduates, many leave the state for higher‑paying jobs. Computer science graduates who work outside Kentucky earn a median of $74,222 one year after graduation, versus $52,187 for those who stay, a gap of more than $22,000. Information‑systems graduates earn about $11,000 more when employed out‑of‑state.
The study shows Kentucky retains roughly 92‑93% of certificate, diploma and associate‑degree graduates within a year, but retention drops to about 82% for bachelor’s and master’s graduates and 75% for doctoral recipients. Business and commerce programs account for about 2,070 graduates working elsewhere, with business administration contributing roughly 1,630.
CPE recommends expanding internships, co‑ops and apprenticeships, linking financial aid to several years of in‑state employment, and strengthening partnerships among colleges, employers and policymakers to create clearer pathways from classroom to Kentucky workplaces.
Entities
Aaron Thompson · Chris Ledford · Kentucky · Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Many Kentucky technical graduates leave the state for higher-paying jobs elsewhere. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kentucky is successfully producing graduates for its workforce. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Retention of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates falls to about 82% and 75% respectively. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Business and commerce programs account for about 2,070 graduates working outside Kentucky one year after completion. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kentucky retains approximately 92‑93% of certificate, diploma and associate‑degree graduates one year after completion. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The report recommends expanding internships, co‑ops and apprenticeships and tying financial support to several years of Kentucky employment. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Computer science graduates who leave Kentucky earn a median salary of $74,222 one year after graduation, compared with $52,187 for those who stay in the state. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Information‑systems graduates working outside Kentucky earn about $11,000 more than those employed in‑state. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Business administration accounts for around 1,630 Kentucky graduates working outside the state one year after graduation. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Many Kentucky technical graduates leave the state for higher‑paying jobs. harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · winchestersun.com