Michigan's postsecondary success rises but still trails the nation's, report finds

Higher educational attainment among working-age Michigan adults continues to increase, but the state is still lagging behind the nation and its neighbors in the Great Lake states, according to a report released Wednesday.

Michigan ranks 37th in the nation for educational attainment when compared with other states, according to data from the Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation, which is tracking the nation's educational attainment annually in a report known as "A Stronger Nation.." It also found that gaps still persist between White residents and underrepresented minority groups in Michigan.

This year's report showed that 51.1% of Michigan residents age 25-64 years old had a postsecondary degree or credential in 2022, an uptick from 50.5% in 2021 and 49.1% in 2019, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer set a goal to increase the state's educational attainment to 60% by 2030. At that time, Michigan began spending on Whitmer initiatives to encourage residents to seek post-educational attainment.

But Michigan is behind the national educational attainment rate of 54.3%, according to the report. It also trails the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, which have higher educational attainment rates of 57.1%, 56.1%, 53.3% and 52.3%, respectively.

Michigan has "doubled down on its commitment to lower the cost of earning a skill certificate or degree," Michelle Richard, acting director of Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP), said in a statement.

"We continue to see this investment pay off," Richard said. "Since 2019, our attainment rate is up over 6%. That means more people are on a path to better paying jobs and financial stability and more employers have the talent they need."

The report also showed that among the 2.31 million adults age 25-64 in Detroit/Warren/Dearborn, 45.2% had a two-year or four-year degree.

Like other states, Michigan also grappled with gaps between the educational attainment of Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans compared with their White counterparts.

In 2022, 46.5% of the state's residents had a degree, compared with 27.4% of Black residents, 32.2% of Hispanic residents and 27.9% of Native American residents. Meanwhile, 73.2% of Asians in Michigan had a degree.

Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, said the state deserves applause for its progress.

"Michigan should be proud of it’s year-over-year consistent increases in our state’s postsecondary educational attainment rate," said Johnson, who previously served as Whitmer's education policy adviser and worked in the state's Office of Sixty by 30, in a statement. "We must continue to accelerate our collective efforts towards making college more affordable, through successful programs like Michigan Reconnect and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Now is the time to work together to make sure that we are doubling down on our Sixty by 30 goal by clearly communicating the absolute necessity of formal education beyond high school to have a shot at the middle class. "

Michigan has spent millions of dollars on programs to help all students obtain a post-secondary credential. Most adults can get free community college through Michigan Reconnect, and students attending public, private and community colleges can get scholarships through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.

Colleges have offered scholarships for low income students, such as Wayne State University's Wayne State Guarantee and Michigan State University's Spartan Advantage. Advocacy groups host workshops to help students of all ages and incomes complete the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms to secure financial aid.

"Continued investments and partnerships through signature programs like Michigan Reconnect and Michigan Achievement Scholarship are making college dreams a reality for thousands of people, giving them a greater opportunity to make it in Michigan," MiLEAP's Richard said. "We expect postsecondary attainment numbers to flourish as more students taking advantage of both relatively new programs reach their graduation dates.”

The Lumina Foundation called in 2008 for an increase of educational attainment past high school of 60% by 2025. Since then, 49 states have set goals, including Michigan.

In 2009, the nation's educational attainment rate was 38.1%. But there has been a 16 percentage point increase to 54.3%.

“Over the last 14 years, we have seen attainment continue to grow substantially," Courtney Brown, Lumina’s vice president of strategic impact and planning, said during a press briefing. "That is a collective commitment and dedication to education from partners all across the country."

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com