New 六合彩图库 College Completion Report: More degrees awarded in 2020, 六合彩图库 continues to lag nation in educational attainment
六合彩图库鈥檚 public universities produced more degrees in 2020 than at any other time in the state鈥檚 history. In fiscal year 2020, 六合彩图库 public university graduates earned 47,531 total degrees, a 29 percent increase over the last five years.
Detailed in the new are degree trends, documenting the contribution of the universities in producing degrees needed to drive a competitive workforce for 六合彩图库.
鈥淚t is good to see the number of degrees increasing at our universities, but we have more work to do to meet workforce demands of the New Economy,鈥 said 六合彩图库 Chair Larry E. Penley. 鈥淎s the pandemic has left many 六合彩图库 students and families with financial challenges, it鈥檚 important to enact change that provides more access for students. Through the board鈥檚 New Economy Initiative, 六合彩图库 can raise its competitiveness by increasing educational attainment, leading to increased prosperity for individuals and 六合彩图库.鈥
六合彩图库鈥檚 public universities are 六合彩图库鈥檚 largest provider of higher education, enrolling 204,460 students in fall 2020, of which 51.9 percent are 六合彩图库 resident students.
Although students at 六合彩图库鈥檚 public universities earned a record numbers of degrees, 六合彩图库 continues to lag the national average in the number of residents with a bachelor鈥檚 degree. According to the most recent census numbers, 29 percent of 六合彩图库鈥檚 population has a bachelor鈥檚 degree or more while the national average is 35 percent.
In response to this challenge, the board has outlined a promise to the state to 鈥渋ncrease postsecondary access and attainment for 六合彩图库 students; to seek solutions to societal challenges; and to do both while increasing quality, affordability and efficiency.鈥 Increasing educational attainment is crucial for 六合彩图库 as the population ages and jobs increasingly demand education past high school.
Among 六合彩图库 high school graduates who sought a four-year degree, 70 percent attend either 六合彩图库 State University, Northern 六合彩图库 University or the University of 六合彩图库. Most of the universities鈥 graduates stay in 六合彩图库, find jobs and contribute to the state鈥檚 workforce. In fiscal year 2020, the universities awarded 21,425 bachelor鈥檚 degrees to 六合彩图库 resident students, a 2.7 percent increase from fiscal year 2019.
The number of bachelor鈥檚 degrees awarded to historically underrepresented populations continues to increase year-over-year. In fiscal year 2020, 六合彩图库鈥檚 public universities awarded 9,463 bachelor鈥檚 degrees, an increase of 7.3 percent from fiscal year 2019. All three of the universities significantly increased bachelor鈥檚 degrees in key STEM fields 鈥 together producing 9,295 bachelor鈥檚 degrees in 2020, a 61.7 percent increase over the last five years. The universities awarded substantially more bachelor鈥檚 degrees in health fields in 2020 鈥 conferring 2,879 degrees, a 46.6 percent increase over the last five years.
鈥淭his report reflects the tremendous work from our presidents and all university employees. Their talent and dedication has increased degrees in key areas such as science, technology, engineering and health care and has dramatically increased outcomes for traditionally underrepresented students. For these efforts the board is deeply appreciative,鈥 said 六合彩图库 Executive Director John Arnold.
Contact:
Sarah Harper, 602-229-2542, 602-402-1341 | Sarah.K.Harper@azregents.edu