Colorado Must Improve College Participation and Credential Attainment Rates to Remain Competitive

• To remain globally competitive, the U.S. and each state should ensure that at least 60% of adults ages 25 to 64 have an associate or bachelor’s degree by 2025. In Colorado, the current rate is 46%.
• Colorado ranks 41^st among 50 states in the size of the degree gap it needs to fill. To meet the 60% goal, it will need to produce an additional 221,450 degrees by 2025.
• By achieving rates of the top-performing states, Colorado can produce about 189,000 bachelor’s degrees, 69,000 associate degrees and 76,000 certificates by 2025.

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Personal Economic Return

Per capita income increases when the state meets 60% credential attainment goal

• Under current postsecondary investment patterns, annual personal per capita income in Colorado is projected to increase by about $180 in 2025.
• By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, annual per capita income would increase significantly more, by approximately $1,300 in 2025.

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Economic Returns to the State

Status quo produces small returns

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, Colorado’s state revenues will increase by about $96 million in 2025.

 Meeting 60% credential goal pays off

By meeting the 60% credential goal, Colorado will generate more annual revenue, topping approximately $700 million in 2025.

State Revenues Exceed Costs When Credential Goal is Met

Status Quo: Revenues exceed costs

Colorado funds postsecondary education through student vouchers rather than institutional aid. Consequently, revenues exceed costs by about $86 million in 2025.

Meet 2025 goal: Revenues exceed costs more

By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, Colorado’s revenues exceed postsecondary costs by approximately $675 million by 2025.

This analysis was prepared using the CLASP-NCHEMS Return on Investment Dashboard tool.  See clasp2022.tealmedia.dev/ROIdashboard