UK growth is soaring

[KenTucker]

When I attended UK there were about 16,000 on campus. This year’s announced enrollment is 38,719. It’s wonderful to see UK growing under the leadership of Dr. Eli Capiluoto.

He has also overseen the growth of UK’s endowment, now standing at $2.5 billion. This is in the top 6 of the SEC schools.

Most of the SEC schools are also growing, with many having passed the 40,000 student mark. I think a lot of the growth of SEC schools, including UK, is due to the prestige that our conference has gained in athletics. Our main rival now is the B1G. We and they constitute the most influential of athletic conferences and I’m glad to see its effect on academics and student enrollments in SEC schools.

 

[Prollywood]

OMG Ken use baby wipes or something bro.

 

[funKYcat75]

Capiluto burner account, IMO.

 

[JumperJack.]

The cost of attending UK has increased by a little over 50% in the last ten years. That’s a rough AI estimate.

All I really care about is whether the people of Kentucky can send their kids there or not. It’s way past time to question the secondary system and who benefits from it the most.

 

[entropy13]

The cost of attending UK has increased by a little over 50% in the last ten years. That’s a rough AI estimate.

All I really care about is whether the people of Kentucky can send their kids there or not. It’s way past time to question the secondary system and who benefits from it the most.

You sound like one of the poors, LOL. Why are you even in Le Paddocke?

 

[BBlueD]

When I attended UK there were about 16,000 on campus. This year’s announced enrollment is 38,719. It’s wonderful to see UK growing under the leadership of Dr. Eli Capiluoto.

He has also overseen the growth of UK’s endowment, now standing at $2.5 billion. This is in the top 6 of the SEC schools.

Most of the SEC schools are also growing, with many having passed the 40,000 student mark. I think a lot of the growth of SEC schools, including UK, is due to the prestige that our conference has gained in athletics. Our main rival now is the B1G. We and they constitute the most influential of athletic conferences and I’m glad to see its effect on academics and student enrollments in SEC schools.

It comes at a cost. UK is trying to keep enrollment on par with the rest of the sec. Only Ole Miss(24710), Miss state(22986) and Vandy(13456) have enrollment below 30000.

Ranking SEC schools by student enrollment

The Southeastern Conference is well known for its athletic dominance, particularly in football. However, following the conference's recent additions of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas, the SEC now has over 600,000 total students. The SEC is home…

ugawire.usatoday.com

In order for UK to keep up with the SEC Joneses we are admitting 95% of all comers. Those are numbers reserved for other state's directional schools.

Ranking SEC universities by acceptance rate for 2024

The Southeastern Conference is home to 16 of the top academic institutions in the country after the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas join the SEC. The

ugawire.usatoday.com

1 Vandy 7%
2 Florida 23%
3 Texas 31%
4 Georgia 43%
5 Auburn 44%
6 TAMU 63%
7 USC 64%
8 Tennessee 68%
9 Miss state 70%
10 Oklahoma 73%
11 LSU 76%
12 Missouri 79%
13 Arkansas 79%
14 Alabama 80%

15 Kentucky 95%

16 Ole Miss 97%






The incoming act scores reflect that. It's like we are just pretending to be a state flagship, unless you think our peers are Ole Miss and MSU.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Out of the 38k how many are going to be disenfranchised angry 20 somethings with crippling student loans they can’t afford to pay back because of worthless degrees? That’s what we as a society should be concerned about, not how much money UK is hoarding to no one’s benefit.

 

[Tskware]

Out of the 38k how many are going to be disenfranchised angry 20 somethings with crippling student loans they can’t afford to pay back because of worthless degrees? That’s what we as a society should be concerned about, not how much money UK is hoarding to no one’s benefit.

Certainly some, but every study shows that on average college grads make more money than those without a degree (there are exceptions to all rules of course). How many HS dropouts are angry 20-30 somethings with no career prospects?

As for admittance rates, Kentucky is a poor and in general less than educated state, always has been, and large parts of the state don't value education. So getting more kids into college should be celebrated. As former President Lee Todd once said in a meeting I attended (no relation, for those who know me), one thing you cannot find in America is a highly educated poor population. It is a unicorn, simply does not exist.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

How many HS dropouts are angry 20-30 somethings with no career prospects?

I’m not sure how that’s a relevant comparison. A HS dropout is not encouraged by teachers, HS, and society to dropout out of HS so that he can earn a large income. Nor is a HS dropout saddled with a non bankruptable high interest loan for 5 figures from a university that he volunteered for as a 17 year old. A 20 or 30 something can also go to a university at that age after all, and ironically would probably be a better student as they would be going for a specific purpose and with more maturity in understanding the debt they’re taking on and why.

I just think a 95% acceptance rate is embarrassing and predatory, and cheapens and downgrades those of us with degrees from UK. College was originally meant for the unique individuals to learn advanced materials that were needed to better society. Not accept every teenager with a pulse and take their money and grow into a conglomerate that answers to no one. It basically turns a college degree into the equivalent of a HS diploma, effectively creating a positive feedback loop where more and more employers start requiring degrees in entry level positions where they are really not needed in order to filter out applicants so that universities can justify their insanely increasing costs and maintain extremely high demand. I’m sure out of those 38k a high number are from out of state and being charged even more as well with no benefit to the state.

Also finding a study that shows college grads vs HS diplomas not from a university is downright impossible. I hope I don’t have to explain how that source might want to skew results. I did a search and one study showed that college grads were even happier! I thought that was interesting - the source? The APLU. The association of land grand and public universities

 

[Tskware]

Also finding a study that shows college grads vs HS diplomas not from a university is downright impossible. I hope I don’t have to explain how that source might want to skew results. I did a search and one study showed that college grads were even happier! I thought that was interesting - the source? The APLU. The association of land grand and public universities

OK, got it, all fake news that college grads make more money than HS grads, or those without a HS diploma.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

OK, got it, all fake news that college grads make more money than HS grads, or those without a HS diploma.

Great discussion and points, thanks.

 

[GJNorman1]

I’m not sure how that’s a relevant comparison. A HS dropout is not encouraged by teachers, HS, and society to dropout out of HS so that he can earn a large income. Nor is a HS dropout saddled with a non bankruptable high interest loan for 5 figures from a university that he volunteered for as a 17 year old. A 20 or 30 something can also go to a university at that age after all, and ironically would probably be a better student as they would be going for a specific purpose and with more maturity in understanding the debt they’re taking on and why.

I just think a 95% acceptance rate is embarrassing and predatory, and cheapens and downgrades those of us with degrees from UK. College was originally meant for the unique individuals to learn advanced materials that were needed to better society. Not accept every teenager with a pulse and take their money and grow into a conglomerate that answers to no one. It basically turns a college degree into the equivalent of a HS diploma, effectively creating a positive feedback loop where more and more employers start requiring degrees in entry level positions where they are really not needed in order to filter out applicants so that universities can justify their insanely increasing costs and maintain extremely high demand. I’m sure out of those 38k a high number are from out of state and being charged even more as well with no benefit to the state.

Also finding a study that shows college grads vs HS diplomas not from a university is downright impossible. I hope I don’t have to explain how that source might want to skew results. I did a search and one study showed that college grads were even happier! I thought that was interesting - the source? The APLU. The association of land grand and public universities

Johnny did you go to college?

college is great for many reasons, but building future business relationships thru new friendships can be life changing job wise

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Johnny did you go to college?

college is great for many reasons, but building future business relationships thru new friendships can be life changing job wise

I did, yes. My whole family is highly educated. But definitely don’t think it’s for everyone, and definitely feel it’s tipped to a pretty ridiculous level and has morphed into something it was never meant to be.

 

[JumperJack.]

one thing you cannot find in America is a highly educated poor population.

This sentence raises at least a couple of thoughts:

- it’s strange that one of the biggest issues of the last election was student loan forgiveness. Lee Todd was being loose with the word poor, evidently. And, I might add, this would be what we’d expect somebody to say that stood to gain a lot from the system in place.

-Our government has been deficit spending for well over two decades now. I’m not sure if people grasp how much of that spending supports a broad range of careers that, if we’re honest, require credentials but don’t produce much value.

 

[BBlueD]

So getting more kids into college should be celebrated.

That's what Murray, Western, Northern, Eastern and Morehead are for.


That's why Michigan(17% acceptance) has Michigan State(83%)

Florida(23%) and Florida State(23%) have Central Florida(41%) and South Florida(43%) followed by Palm Beach State(88%) and Valencia College(93%)


What you are advocating the University of Kentucky becoming is Wildcat High. In that system, outside of stem and high level business degrees, you are not highly educated you are just credentialed. Why does real college start at the graduate level now?

 

[Hank Camacho]

OK, got it, all fake news that college grads make more money than HS grads, or those without a HS diploma.

Now talk about how ridiculous it is that student loans are both federally guaranteed and non-bankruptable and how college administrators have been building absurd fiefdoms using the credit of the students in the form of loans the students are stuck with for life and the federal government will pay if the student defaults.

That's the story, imo. And, like everything else, it shows how the free market should be left to its own devices and the government and college administrators are greedy piglets sucking on the teets of the public.

 

[GJNorman1]

Now talk about how ridiculous it is that student loans are both federally guaranteed and non-bankruptable and how college administrators have been building absurd fiefdoms using the credit of the students in the form of loans the students are stuck with for life and the federal government will pay if the student defaults.

That's the story, imo. And, like everything else, it shows how the free market should be left to its own devices and the government and college administrators are greedy piglets sucking on the teets of the public.

Says the guy who probably got a loan for college and either a masters or Law degree. Our country needs more education. Not less. And it should be a priority over getting a trade job out of HS

 

[Hank Camacho]

Our country needs more education. Not less. And it should be a priority over getting a trade job out of HS

Oh really? Why?

If a young person can get vocational education for a fraction of the price of college that quickly increases that person's earning capacity, why exactly is college pushed so hard on young'ns?

It strikes me that you are more concerned with the ability to capture and indoctrinate young adults with ideology and debt, if you think college is automatically better than cheap, productive vocational education.

Law school is a joke, btw, and I'd be fine with making the bar harder and requiring some sort of apprenticeship as the necessary gatekeeping function of the profession.

 

[Tskware]

^
Those are broad statements, some of which I agree with. When Bevin was governor, he appointed Derek Ramsey as the spokesman for work force development (think that was his title), and he made some of the same points. I used to rep a machine shop owner, paid $75-90K for workers, and couldn't hire enough. Another client, Davis H Elliot Company (top notch commercial electrical) was running ads on UK game this weekend asking for applications, so I 100% agree that more young people should go into trades, I also bet that you would be hard pressed to find a poor population of electricians and plumbers.

But you lose me when you start talking about colleges 'capturing and indoctrinating young people with ideology', that is just Fox News talking points. I got captured and indoctrinated in drinking beer and chasing coeds - but in addition, met quite a few people who had a lot of different views, which expanded my thinking (I was a lot more conservative in those days, but then conservatives were a lot different than our present day)

 

[GJNorman1]

Oh really? Why?

If a young person can get vocational education for a fraction of the price of college that quickly increases that person's earning capacity, why exactly is college pushed so hard on young'ns?

It strikes me that you are more concerned with the ability to capture and indoctrinate young adults with ideology and debt, if you think college is automatically better than cheap, productive vocational education.

Law school is a joke, btw, and I'd be fine with making the bar harder and requiring some sort of apprenticeship as the necessary gatekeeping function of the profession.

Well, I base most of my opinions off of people smarter than me and life experiences.

as a Henry clay graduate, I can say unequivocally, the smarter the kid, and the more educated the student, the more money they are making in 2025.

the students I know, who didn’t go to college are either dead or living in an apartment. I can think of few exceptions

 

[Hank Camacho]

But you lose me when you start talking about colleges 'capturing and indoctrinating young people with ideology', that is just Fox News talking points. I got captured and indoctrinated in drinking beer and chasing coeds - but in addition, met quite a few people who had a lot of different views, which expanded my thinking (I was a lot more conservative in those days, but then conservatives were a lot different than our present day)

The comment about ideological capture and debt was more for GNorman than you, as I have always found you to be a practical thinker and we just have mild disagreements on method.

But, since you asked, I will elaborate. First, I think the "this is just a Fox News talking point" is a copout. Do you really think I watch Fox News? You also left out that I said young'ns are captured with ideology and debt. But regardless, it does not matter what my source of information is for this argument to work.

Eventually, when everyone has said their piece, "your" side will usually conclude that there is just something ineffable about a college degree that makes it worth it, even in spite of the cost. This argument will usually say that even if there is technical education available cheaply that creates the same earning capacity, the college degree is worth it because of some nebulously described intrinsic worth of a liberal arts college education that provides a broad way to look at the world.

Well, if that's case, then clearly the point of college is to do SOMETHING to the student's minds that is independent of increasing their earning capacity.

So, I'll turn that back on you, what is it about the modern bachelor's degree that is so valuable that it is worth taking on tens of thousands of dollars of debt that can't be bankrupted and, if we are being honest, is such a terrible bet at repayment from the college's perspective that they need a federal guarantee of loan repayment to make the system sustainable?

 

[Hank Camacho]

Well, I base most of my opinions off of people smarter than me

Then why are you not listening to me?

 

[GJNorman1]

Then why are you not listening to me?

good one. If you went to law school, you are smarter than me. But, you are smarter than me for 1 of 2 reasons. 1. God given genius, which I am not. 2. The most likely reason, you worked harder in school.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

And it should be a priority over getting a trade job out of HS

This comment, though said with extreme confidence, is just completely unjustified when looking at the most basic needs of our current workforce and simply looking at supply and demand. I read an article in the WSJ about 10 months ago about the extreme shortage and need for people in trades, and how they have become the newest class of millionaires in this country due to their high demand for their jobs. I’ve also read countless articles about people with worthless liberal arts degrees that are struggling to find work. If someone is struggling to find work it literally means their skills are not needed in any meaningful way. Outside of university funded studies saying people need to go to college or else your statement is simply preposterous and a complete disconnect from reality. Every university could easily cut 20% of their majors offered and those 20% could go to trade school and we would have a significantly smoother running society and economy.
Out of curiosity what level of higher education did you complete and what was your degree in?

 

[GJNorman1]

This comment, though said with extreme confidence, is just completely unjustified when looking at the most basic needs of our current workforce and simply looking at supply and demand. I read an article in the WSJ about 10 months ago about the extreme shortage and need for people in trades, and how they have become the newest class of millionaires in this country due to their high demand for their jobs. I’ve also read countless articles about people with worthless liberal arts degrees that are struggling to find work. If someone is struggling to find work it literally means their skills are not needed in any meaningful way. Outside of university funded studies saying people need to go to college or else your statement is simply preposterous and a complete disconnect from reality. Every university could easily cut 20% of their majors offered and those 20% could go to trade school and we would have a significantly smoother running society and economy.
Out of curiosity what level of higher education did you complete and what was your degree in?

Again, I know many plumber and electricians that are doing ok, but they are way behind the majority of my friends that worked harder in school. Why not try college first, and you can always fall back on unclogging toilets and drains.

I was an average student and didn’t apply myself to the fullest. But, I graduated with a 3.0 from an ACC school. I have a charming personality and am really good looking, so because of this, I have done well selling chit.

I think I could have done better with a masters in business.

 

[GJNorman1]

K

Which college did you graduate from?

 

[TeamAmerica]

Says the guy who probably got a loan for college and either a masters or Law degree. Our country needs more education. Not less. And it should be a priority over getting a trade job out of HS

Saying College should be prioritized over trade schools is an uneducated statement. If anything trade schools should be prioritized over college or at least at the same level.

 

[GJNorman1]

Saying College should be prioritized over trade schools is an uneducated statement. If anything trade schools should be prioritized over college or at least at the same level.

Why, because it’s easy and guarantees a basic income for life? I always wanted more than unclogging . That’s fine, the worlds needs ditch diggers too

 

[TeamAmerica]

Well, I base most of my opinions off of people smarter than me and life experiences.

as a Henry clay graduate, I can say unequivocally, the smarter the kid, and the more educated the student, the more money they are making in 2025.

the students I know, who didn’t go to college are either dead or living in an apartment. I can think of few exceptions

BS . plumbers and electricians are making 6 figures these days. Because you have a degree in 18th Century French literature with 100k in debt it doesn't makes you smarter than a master electrician. In fact, It shows the opposite.

 

[TeamAmerica]

Why, because it’s easy and guarantees a basic income for life? I always wanted more than unclogging . That’s fine, the worlds needs ditch diggers too

Really pretentious to think you are better than someone based on a piece of paper. You are an idiot if you think that is what plumbers spend their days doing.

 

[CaughtTheCat]

Which college did you graduate from?

I have 2 degrees from the University of Kentucky.

 

[cole@854]

When I attended UK there were about 16,000 on campus. This year’s announced enrollment is 38,719. It’s wonderful to see UK growing under the leadership of Dr. Eli Capiluoto.

He has also overseen the growth of UK’s endowment, now standing at $2.5 billion. This is in the top 6 of the SEC schools.

Most of the SEC schools are also growing, with many having passed the 40,000 student mark. I think a lot of the growth of SEC schools, including UK, is due to the prestige that our conference has gained in athletics. Our main rival now is the B1G. We and they constitute the most influential of athletic conferences and I’m glad to see its effect on academics and student enrollments in SEC schools.

Certain programs are suffering such as accounting and finance, due to reduced # of incoming freshman choosing these fields, and the lack of support from the upper brass.

 

[GJNorman1]

I have 2 degrees from the University of Kentucky.

Have you made a good living over the years?

 

[TeamAmerica]

When I attended UK there were about 16,000 on campus. This year’s announced enrollment is 38,719. It’s wonderful to see UK growing under the leadership of Dr. Eli Capiluoto.

He has also overseen the growth of UK’s endowment, now standing at $2.5 billion. This is in the top 6 of the SEC schools.

Most of the SEC schools are also growing, with many having passed the 40,000 student mark. I think a lot of the growth of SEC schools, including UK, is due to the prestige that our conference has gained in athletics. Our main rival now is the B1G. We and they constitute the most influential of athletic conferences and I’m glad to see its effect on academics and student enrollments in SEC schools.

Why dont they spend some of the 2.5 billion to make college more affordable?

 

[CaughtTheCat]

Why, because it’s easy and guarantees a basic income for life? I always wanted more than unclogging . That’s fine, the worlds needs ditch diggers too

Aren't you the one who works for his father in law? Way to blaze your own trail.

 

[GJNorman1]

Aren't you the one who works for his father in law? Way to blaze your own trail.

Just a lowly salesman. No hand outs on dowry’s given my way. Started at the bottom and have worked pretty hard. Could retire today, but I enjoy selling and investing

 

[CaughtTheCat]

Have you made a good living over the years?

I have done well enough. Plenty of other ways for me to have done the same. I’m not arguing against college, but do believe there are other (less costly in today’s age) ways to become successful.

 

[John Henry]

This thread caused me to do some research. Why is tuition so high for the University of Kentucky? I compared it to my home state and the difference is startling. Florida has not had a tuition increase in about 10 years and pay less than half of what Kentuckians pay.

Kentucky residents should require politicians to address these costs.

University of Kentucky Tuition

• In-state students: Approximately $13,907. Total Cost $35,098
• Out-of-state students: Approximately $35,164. Total Cost $55,292

How much does it cost to attend?​

In State Kentucky Resident Sticker Price​

$35,098

Fee	Cost
Tuition	$11,849
Other Fees	$1,363
Books and Supplies	$1,200
Room and Board	$15,242
Other Expenses Budget	$5,444

Out of State Resident Sticker Price​

$55,292

Fee	Cost
Tuition	$32,043
Other Fees	$1,363
Books and Supplies	$1,200
Room and Board	$15,242
Other Expenses Budget	$5,444

Floridians can go to UF for: $6,381, half the cost of UK. The out of state tuition is $5,000 cheaper. Why so much at UK?

The annual tuition and fees cost for the University of Florida for the 2025-26 academic year is projected to be $6,381 for in-state students and $30,886 for out-of-state students. 80% of Florida's Statewide University students do not have to take out a student loan.

	In State	Out of State	In-state Living With Parents	Summer Classes
*Tuition / Fees	$6,380	$30,900	$6,380	$2,550
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment	1,235	1,235	1,235	546
Transportation	1,660	1,660	1,660	550
Living Expenses	12,615	12,615	4,560	3,990
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	2,234	2,234	2,234	667
Federal Student Loan Fees	56	56	56	10
Total Budget	$24,180	$48,700	$16,125	$8,313

 

[GJNorman1]

Yes I went and graduated so you are guessing wrong. To say that College is the only road to success is an asinine statement. I know a lot of very successful people who never went to College and I know a lot of people who got worthless degrees and struggle. You might of actually hit on it earlier - people with great work ethics go farther in life no matter what path you choose.

Good on you, mate! I know exceptions to the rule. Most of my wealthy buddies went to Georgia tech, Davidson, Sewanee, UK, FSU, and on an on.

It’s about knowledge and networking. If you don’t know wealthy people, it’s hard to make big money.

Example of connecting with the right people. We got paired with a single lady for a tee time at a private club. We hammed it up with her and exchanged numbers. Turns out, she is an oil baroness and owns part of the saints. She texted me last night to invite me and the fam to a December Saints game because she is an owner.

How did I get on this private golf course? College buddy invited me. He has a Masters from gtech and now owns a lending company and a couple planes and vacation houses.

 

[KenTucker]

Why dont they spend some of the 2.5 billion to make college more affordable?

That is precisely why universities have endowments. Here’s an AI summary of the purposes of endowments:


“Universities have endowments to provide a perpetual source of income to support their long-term missions, such as funding research, offering scholarships and financial aid, covering professor salaries, and building or maintaining facilities. These funds, accumulated through donations and investment gains, are invested to generate income that can be used to benefit students, faculty, and the wider community, thereby ensuring the institution's stability and enabling it to plan for the future and fulfill its educational and charitable goals.”

The size of an endowment is an indication of the health of a school’s relationship with its community, since endowments are collections of donated assets invested for the long term. So, UK is better off than 10 other schools in the SEC.