A first-generation college student steps onto campus for the first time, the weight of possibility and uncertainty settling in all at once. Getting here wasn’t easy — they worked through a maze of forms, deadlines, and decisions, often without someone to support them. Now, the buildings feel enormous, and the learning curve is steeper than expected as they try to make sense of new environments, expectations, and unspoken rules. Resources exist, but figuring out where to start — and who to ask — is overwhelming.
While many colleges and universities are increasing their student support programs, too many first-year students arrive on campus without knowing where or how to get help — particularly low-income learners, students of color, and first-generation college-going students, continue to navigate college systems that weren’t designed to support them equitably.
In 2010, 36% of Michigan adults aged 25-64 held a postsecondary degree or certificate. The reality was clear — educational opportunities were not evenly distributed, and Michigan was falling behind in preparing residents for a rapidly shifting economy.
Michigan College Access Network was created to improve systems so more students could attend college and earn degrees and certificates. From the beginning, MCAN was founded on a simple idea: college is a public good, and every student deserves a real chance to pursue it.
By mobilizing school counselors, K-12 staff, community leaders, and policymakers, MCAN built the statewide infrastructure Michigan lacked, creating a movement to dismantle inequities and expand opportunities. That work gained new momentum in 2019, when MCAN aligned its attainment goal with Governor Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 vision — calling for 60% of Michigan adults to hold a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030.
Postsecondary Attainment Matters for Michigan’s Future
Today, Michigan’s progress reflects years of collective action. Postsecondary attainment has risen 12 percentage points since 2010, with 47.5% of Michiganders having a degree or certificate today. These percentages represent more than just numbers — they are thousands of residents who earn more, contribute more to local businesses, and are shaping the future of their communities.
And Michigan’s economy is feeling the positive momentum, too:
- The average home value of postsecondary graduates is $113,729 higher than that of those with only a high school diploma.
- Each college graduate contributes an additional $4,063 in tax revenue annually — repaying the state’s investment in higher education within just seven working years.
- Michigan’s GDP grows by approximately $122,047 per additional postsecondary graduate, strengthening the economy and driving investments in local businesses.
- Every college graduate creates 5.6 additional support jobs across the state’s economy.
- The higher the degree level, the less likely a person is to be unemployed, with bachelor’s degree holders having a 2.5% unemployment rate compared to the 4.2% unemployment rate for those who stopped pursuing formal education after high school.
In other words, when more Michigan residents earn degrees, the benefits ripple well beyond the individual. They impact families, neighborhoods, employers, and entire regions.
As each year passes, Michigan’s economic landscape is shifting increasingly towards jobs that require training and education beyond high school. By 2031, 69% of all jobs in the state will require postsecondary education or credentials, with strong demand for both associate and bachelor’s degrees. Good-paying jobs — positions that offer stability, benefits, and upward mobility — are increasingly tied to education. Already, 90% of Michigan’s high-demand, high-wage jobs require some formal learning past high school, and 84% require a bachelor’s degree or more.
This is why postsecondary equity isn’t just a value, it’s a necessity. Without closing the gaps in college readiness, participation, and completion, Michigan can’t meet its labor market needs, retain talent, or build a thriving, 21st-century economy.
Charting Michigan’s Path Forward
Even with the progress made over the past 15 years, Michigan’s trajectory toward Sixty by 30 needs continued focus.
If current trends hold, Michigan is projected to reach 53.5% postsecondary attainment by 2030 — hundreds of thousands of degrees short of the 60% benchmark needed to meet workforce demands and strengthen economic mobility statewide.
Reaching Sixty by 30 will require a focused effort in several key areas:
- Strengthening academic readiness among students starting college.
- Expanding the number of students who utilize state and federal financial aid.
- Increasing the number of students who enroll in, persist through, AND complete postsecondary education.
- Continuing to shift public perception so that postsecondary education is seen not as a risk, but as an investment in economic stability and community resilience.
MCAN’s adoption of the Sixty by 30 goal proves what coordinated, equity-driven work can accomplish. But the remaining distance to Sixty by 30 highlights where the state must focus next: ensuring that every student, regardless of location, income, or family background, has both access to opportunity and the support to complete the journey.
The foundation is built, and the data show where we need to go. The path forward depends on expanding what has worked, removing remaining barriers, and continuing to center equity at every step.
Reaching Sixty by 30 will take all of us — students, partners, educators, policymakers, and community members — working together. United by a shared purpose, we can champion policies and advocate for change. Because when Michigan rallies behind its students, the entire state moves toward a stronger, more equitable future.