North Dakota: The Return on Investment to Increasing Postsecondary Credential Attainment

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North Dakota 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 North Dakota, the current rate is 44.9%.
     
  • North Dakota ranks 49th among 50 states in the size of the credential increase it needs to achieve annually. To meet the 60% goal, it will need to produce an additional 14,126 degrees by 2025.
     
  • By achieving rates of the top-performing states, North Dakota can produce about 16,000 bachelor’s degrees, 8,000 associate degrees and 2,000 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 North Dakota is projected to decrease by about $190 in 2025.
     
  • By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, annual per capita income would increase significantly more, by approximately $600 in 2025.

 

 

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Economic Returns to the State

Status quo produces negative returns

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, North
Dakota’s state revenues will decrease by about $15 million in
2025.

 

Meeting 60% credential goal pays off

By meeting the 60% credential goal, North Dakota will generate more annual revenue, topping approximately $47 million in
2025.

 

State Revenues Exceed Costs When Credential Goal is Met

Status Quo: Costs and revenue decline

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, North
Dakota’s postsecondary costs decline to about -$15 million in
2025. Revenues decline to about -$21 m.

 

Meet 2025 goal: Revenues exceed costs

By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, North Dakota’s revenues exceed postsecondary costs by about $45 million by 2025.

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