Online Degrees in Kentucky

Kentucky means business when to comes to education. In fact, more than 25 percent of the total Executive Budget funds were devoted to education and workforce development in 2010, according to OpenDoor.KY.gov — the state government's online "Transparency Portal." An additional 19 percent of the total budget went to universities. But what is the result of all of this investment? An increasingly educated, and in turn, competitive workforce.

Evidence of this trend showed up almost a decade ago, with the release of the 2000 census data. In a report by Ron Crouch of the University of Louisville and Alicia S. Crouch of the Kentucky Cabinet for Workforces, a substantial improvement in the education of Kentucky's younger population was revealed.  In fact, over 84 percent of individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 held a high school diploma in 2000, while only 75 percent of those in the 45 to 65 age group held the same. "Kentucky is educating its younger population and the Census 2000 data proves it," the report states. "Kentucky's older less educated population holds Kentucky's educational levels down but as this population ages out of the workforce, Kentucky’s workforce becomes more and more competitive."

A 2010 Horizon report from the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center notes that: "Online education could be a boon for historically undereducated Kentucky, as many potential students remain geographically isolated and undereducated." The report continues, "Also, working adults, parents, and other caregivers need the flexibility in course-taking that online education makes possible."

Almost 2 million Kentuckians live in rural areas, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that's over 44 percent of the state's total population. Universities and colleges tend to be centered in populated areas, in turn, making them hard for these 2 million individuals to access. Additionally, taking time off from work and family obligations to attend traditional — or even night schools can be a challenge for many individuals. Often, online degree programs in Kentucky and elsewhere offer scheduling and class-load flexibility, allowing more individuals an option to attend school.

In fact, this option appears to be growing in popularity. According to data from Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, nearly 80,000 students in Kentucky were enrolled in distance learning courses at Kentucky public institutions in the fall of 2008—more than 160 percent increase from 2003 enrollment levels.

Kentucky's economy is diverse, and once equipped with a traditional or online degree, one has a number of potential job opportunities. "Economists at Moody's," Governor Beshear noted in his State of the Commonwealth address, "predict that Kentucky will experience a higher percentage job growth in the coming year than all but four states." Specifically, Workforce Kentucky, the state-run organization devoted to the Kentucky Labor Market predicts the following occupations will have positive job growth rates:

• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts: 4.3
• Personal and Home Care Aides: 4.2
• Home Health Aides: 3.9
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians: 3.3
• Database Administrators: 3.3
• Physical Therapist Aides: 3.2

In short, the technology and health care industries look to be good choices for those looking to launch careers in expanding fields. On the flipside, the following—mostly manufacturing and vocational—occupations are expected to shrink over the next several years:

• Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters: -3.7
• Order Clerks: -3.5
• Transportation Workers: -3.5
• Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters & Operators: -3.3
• Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters: -3.3
• Postal Service Mail Sorters & Processors: -3.3

Workforce Kentucky notes that the per capita income for Kentuckians was $31,936 in 2008. However, as with any state, the specific amount one makes depends largely on his or her occupation. To that end, Workforce Kentucky quotes the top 10 paying occupations in Kentucky in 2010 that require at least a bachelor’s degree as:

1. Engineering Managers: $48.32/hour
2. Marketing Managers: $45.99/hour
3. Computer & Information Systems Managers: $45.86/hour
4. Computer Hardware Engineers: $45.48/hour
5. Sales Managers: $44.25/hour
6. Education Administrators, Postsecondary: $43.87/hour
7. Chemical Engineers: $42.62/hour
8. General & Operations Managers: $42.16/hour
9. Natural Sciences Managers: $41.56/hour
10. Human Resources Managers, All Other: $41.11/hour

In September 2010, USA Today reported that nationally, personal income data in between July 2009 and June 2010 showed a lukewarm growth, rising just 0.3 percent after inflation. In Kentucky, however, personal income rose 1.5 percent. Only three other states: New Mexico, Texas and Alaska saw stronger growth. USA Today dubs personal income as "an important sign of a state's well-being," supporting the theory that Kentucky's economy, and in turn job opportunities, continue to be strong.