New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, the current rate is 45.8%.
   
• New Hampshire ranks 39th 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 66,023 degrees by 2025.
   
• By achieving rates of the top-performing states, New Hampshire can produce about 47,000 bachelor’s degrees, 25,000 associate degrees and 7,000 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 New Hampshire is projected to decrease by about $145 in 2025.
   
• By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, annual per capita income would increase significantly more, by approximately $1,000 in 2025.

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Economic Returns to the State

Status quo produces negative returns

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

Meeting 60% credential goal pays off

By meeting the 60% credential goal, New Hampshire will generate more annual revenue, topping approximately $124 million in 2025.

State Revenues Exceed Costs When Credential Goal is Met

Status Quo: Revenues are lower than costs

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, New Hampshire’s postsecondary costs decline, but so do state revenues to about $3.5 million below costs.

Meet 2025 goal: Revenues exceed costs

By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, New Hampshire’s revenues exceed postsecondary costs by about $105 million by 2025.

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