Higher Education in California

Higher education enhances Californians’ lives and contributes to the state’s economic growth. But population and education trends suggest that California is facing a large shortfall of college graduates. Addressing this short­fall will require strong gains for groups that have been historically under­represented in higher education. Substantial improvement in educational outcomes will create a more productive economy, generate higher incomes and tax revenues, and put less pressure on the social safety net.

This briefing kit highlights California’s most pressing higher education challenges in seven key areas.

• California’s higher education system
• Addressing California’s skills gap
• Expanding college access
• Improving college completion
• Increasing equity and diversity
• Investing in public higher education
• Making college affordable