MN Remains on Steady Ground for Adults with Degrees or Certificates

A new report by the Lumina Foundation finds adults with some type of degree now stand at nearly 54 percent nationwide. Minnesota is at more than 60 percent and is among the leader for young adults. Higher Education commissioner Dennis Olson says students around the region are pursuing a range of opportunities:

“At this point, there seems to be a growing popularity for certificate programs or for shorter-term credentials industry-recognized credentials. But certainly, the data is still strong for degree programs as well.”

Olson acknowledges significant racial gaps still exist and says closing them is the agency’s main focus as it pushes the state to reach its own attainment goal of 70 percent by 2025. He predicts Minnesota will get close to that level but notes a strong job market and shrinking high-school graduating classes might complicate efforts.