The Kentucky Community and Technical College System celebrated a historic year for student achievement, surpassing 25,000 graduates in a single academic year for the first time in system history.
Preliminary numbers show during the 2025-26 academic year, 25,013 students graduated from KCTCS colleges, an increase of nearly 600 students, or 2.4%, compared with the previous year. Those students earned 47,513 certificates, diplomas and degrees — the highest total ever awarded by the system and an increase of nearly 3,000 credentials, or 6.3%, year over year.
KCTCS also reached a new milestone for associate degree attainment. For the first time, more than 10,000 students earned associate degrees, with 10,307 students crossing that threshold during the academic year.
“This record-breaking year is a testament to the determination of our students and the dedication of the faculty and staff across our 16 colleges who support them every step of the way,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. “Every graduate who crosses the stage represents a life changed, a family strengthened and a community with greater opportunity. I am incredibly proud of our students for the hard work it took to reach this moment, and I am equally proud of the employees who help them overcome barriers and achieve their goals.”
The historic credential totals underscore KCTCS’s role as Kentucky’s largest provider of undergraduate credentials. KCTCS awarded 58% of all undergraduate credentials conferred in the Commonwealth during the 2025-26 academic year.
The system’s progress is also reflected in its graduation rate. KCTCS recently achieved a three-year graduation rate of 51%, the highest in system history and above the national average.
“These results show what is possible when students have access to affordable, high-quality education close to home,” Quarles said. “Affordability matters. It opens doors for more Kentuckians to enroll, complete a credential and move forward without taking on significant debt. We are focused on helping students reach the graduation stage and build a stronger future for themselves and for Kentucky.”
KCTCS is committed to affordability, and 74% of KCTCS graduates leave college with zero student loan debt, allowing them to enter the workforce, pursue additional education or support their families without the burden of student loan payments.
With 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses across the Commonwealth, KCTCS provides accessible pathways to higher education, workforce training and career advancement for Kentuckians in every region of the state.