North Carolina College Access & Completion Convening

1. Goal 2025:
To increase the proportion of Americans with
high-quality degrees and credentials to 60
percent by the year 2025.

2. To Succeed We Must Focus On
21st Century Students
• Of the 17.6M undergrads now enrolled 75%
are juggling work, family, and school
• 36M Americans aged 25-64 have started college, but
have no degree
• There are chronic attainment gaps among
racial/ethnic groups, and socio-economic status

3. The Pipeline Isn’t Just Leaky—It’s Broken
For every 100 Ninth Graders
74 Graduate from High School
46 Enter College
31 Are Still Enrolled Sophomore Year
21 Graduate within 150% Time 36M adults with some
college and no degree
Higheredinfo.org, 2010

4. To Succeed, We Must Achieve Equity and Excellence
44.47%
28.14%
20.27%
60.07%
23.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
White Black Hispanic Asian Native American
Degree Attainment Rates among United States Adults
(25-64) by Population Group
Equity: Recognition of the need to eliminate disparities in educational outcomes for students
from historically underserved and underrepresented populations
Excellence: Offering clear, flexible and transparent pathways to students in their pursuit of
postsecondary credentials

5. Community Partnership for Attainment