Report Urges California to Improve College Access

"The 70 percent attainment goal is ambitious, but I would argue that our students and families deserve nothing less. When we talk about how we can move the needle on that ambitious 70 percent attainment goal, we first have to recognize that we cannot do so unless we do more to re-engage those students with some college and no degree. It's not just an economic imperative but it's also a moral one."

"California's postsecondary attainment rate-which includes certificates, associate degrees and bachelor's degrees-stood at 56 percent in 2023, requiring the state to produce more than 1.3 million additional college-educated adults in the next five years to meet Newsom's target. Labor market projections indicate that more than two-thirds of annual job openings in California between 2021 and 2031 will require some form of postsecondary education or training, with the strongest growth expected in high-demand sectors such as health care and STEM fields."

California's postsecondary attainment rate currently stands at 56 percent, falling significantly short of Governor Newsom's 2030 target of 70 percent. Reaching this goal requires producing over 1.3 million additional college-educated adults within five years. The state must increase enrollment across public higher education systems while substantially improving completion outcomes. Over 6.4 million Californians under 65 possess some college credit but lack credentials, representing a critical opportunity for re-engagement. Labor market projections show that more than two-thirds of California job openings between 2021 and 2031 require postsecondary education or training, particularly in healthcare and STEM fields. Completion rates across public systems have remained largely flat, necessitating strategic interventions to address both economic and moral imperatives.

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