Lansing, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network is encouraged to see a 0.7% gain in our state’s college attainment rate from 2022 to 2023, according to the latest data from A Stronger Nation. This project, created and maintained by the Lumina Foundation, has been tracking nationwide postsecondary attainment since 2009. Michigan’s percentage of working age adults earning a college degree or certificate increased from 46.8% to 47.5%, while the nationwide rate rose 0.6% from 50.7% to 51.3%. The Lumina Foundation includes industry certificates in its data, which MCAN does not include for postsecondary attainment rates due to questions about measurability and value in the workplace, meaning the numbers referenced above will look different than those displayed in the report.
Other key finding for Michigan from the report:
- Michigan is making progress toward its Sixty by 30 goal but still lags behind the national average.
- In 2009, the first year the Lumina Foundation started tracking this data, just 35.8% of working-age Michiganders had an associate degree or higher.
- In Michigan, all racial groups tracked in the report have made progress since 2009 in the percentage earning at least an associate degree. However, Hispanic (32%), Black (28%) and Indigenous (26.9%) adults still trail White (46.8%) adults. Asian or Pacific Islanders lead all groups with a 72.6% attainment rate.
“Michigan College Access Network is pleased to see a gain in the percentage of Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certificate, but the data also show how much work is ahead of us,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “We recognize that we are not on pace to reach the statewide goal of Sixty by 30, and now is the time to double down on our efforts to support Michigan students, especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color. MCAN will continue to engage our network of K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community-based organizations and policymakers to reach this critical goal and improve economic opportunities for all Michiganders.”
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. It seeks to build a postsecondary system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials.
To learn more about A Stronger Nation, visit luminafoundation.org/stronger-nation/.
New data from Lumina Foundation show 0.7% increase in Michiganders with college degrees and certificates.