Improving Postsecondary Access, Affordability, and Success

Improving postsecondary attendance and graduation rates has been a state and national priority for more than two decades. Despite increased higher education enrollment rates, degree completion rates have grown much more slowly. Currently, fewer than half of 25- to 44-year-old North Carolinians have a college or postsecondary degree.

When students do not have an opportunity to pursue higher education or when they pursue higher education but do not complete their degrees, it represents a loss not only for individual students and their families but for the future strength of North Carolina. By one estimate, North Carolina must have 400,000 more graduates of postsecondary programs by 2030 to meet the demand for highly educated workers. To keep up with the economic growth and demand for highly educated workers, we must increase participation and graduation rates in postsecondary education.

NCEFI is committed to improving postsecondary access, affordability, and attainment for students of all backgrounds and from all corners of North Carolina. NCEFI affiliates are currently leading research projects that explore factors that pose obstacles to students seeking to complete their postsecondary education, as well as a range of current and proposed policies to improve postsecondary outcomes.

Improving Postsecondary Access, Affordability, and Success

Projects