Earning a college degree or certificate remains a rewarding investment for Colorado adults despite the cost of tuition. Colorado graduates see consistent wage gains within the decade after completing a credential, with the highest return in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
At the same time, barriers to achieving postsecondary education can hinder a student’s postsecondary success. This report calls on the state to provide better information on the price and expected debt for postsecondary education, as well as the value of postsecondary education and the various education choices available. The study includes key strategies that the Governor’s office, the Colorado General Assembly, and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) are currently pursuing to ensure the state maximizes the return on investment of its postsecondary education system.