Connecticut 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 Connecticut, the current rate is 45.8%.
• Connecticut ranks 42nd 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 115,713 degrees by 2025.
• By achieving rates of the top-performing states, Connecticut can produce about 78,000 bachelor’s degrees, 119,000 associate degrees and 24,000 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 Connecticut is projected to decrease by about $233 in 2025.
• By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, annual per capita income would increase significantly more, by approximately $1,400 in 2025.

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Economic Returns to the State

Status quo produces negative returns

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, Connecticut’s state revenues will decrease by about $120 million in 2025.

Meeting 60% credential goal pays off

By meeting the 60% credential goal, Connecticut will generate more annual revenue, topping approximately $840 million in 2025.

State Revenues Exceed Costs When Credential Goal is Met

Status Quo: Costs and revenues decline

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, 
Connecticut’s postsecondary costs decline, but so do 
revenues.

Meet 2025 goal: Revenues exceed costs 

By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, Connecticut’s revenues exceed postsecondary costs by approximately $670 million by 2025.

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