THE BIG PICTURE
In today’s fast-changing workplace, a high school diploma doesn’t carry the weight that it used to. Learning must be lifelong in order for Maine’s workforce to be competitive in the global economy. MaineSpark is a coalition of organizations across Maine working together to help every Mainer achieve a postsecondary credential of value, with the goal that 60% of Mainers will hold such a credential by 2025. In 2020, 51% of Mainers hold postsecondary degrees or credentials of value.
We must increase access and achievement at every stage of the pipeline in order to achieve this goal. In addition, we need to ensure that postsecondary pathways are accessible to and affordable for Maine families.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 60% of Maine high school graduates enroll in college in the fall after graduation and 67% of students return for the second year of college.
- 63% of first-time, full-time Maine college students complete their degrees within 150% of the normal program time.
- In 2017-2018, the average net price of college for Maine students was $16,667 (36% of per capita income) and the average student debt was 15% of per capita income.
- 51% of Mainers hold a postsecondary credential of value.