Students across Kentucky can now compare higher education-related costs in a variety of areas. It comes through a new “Students Right to Know” website.
Kentucky Center for Statistics Director Jessica Cunningham said the interactive tool allows users to compare tuition, student debt, and salaries for hundreds of occupations before choosing a major. “So, if they were interested in going into a particular major, what types of occupations in Kentucky are available for that major and how many openings over the next five years might align to that major in Kentucky. And then also, the typical salary, be it early career, mid-career, or late-career,” said Cunningham.
The Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation last year calling on the State Council on Postsecondary Education to collect and publish the data. The CPE partnered with the Kentucky Center for Statistics to develop and launch the site. Cunningham said the dashboard program includes loan specific information. “The percent of students who went into that major that you selected. How many and what percent were receiving loans and, on average, what was that loan amount, based on the credential level that you’re going after with that major,” explained Cunningham.
Cunningham noted there will also be institution-specific information. Research Analyst Brian Mudrak said the dashboard is designed to be easily accessible on mobile devices.
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