Publications & Research
State of Higher Education in California
At College Futures Foundation, we aspire to help shape better futures for Californians and their families. We believe that achieving a robust, inclusive society and economy in California requires moving beyond the status quo and ensuring that the most underserved learners and workers in our state — Black and Latinx adults, those aged 25 or older, and those facing outsized financial barriers — have clear pathways to prosperity.
Today, we stand at a critical inflection point for our state and nation. The pace of change in technologies and job markets is increasing while income gaps persist. It is time to center and update our collective perspectives on learners’ aspirations and ensure that postsecondary education supports a thriving democracy and delivers on the promise of economic mobility for people of all backgrounds.
We aim to tackle the crisis of value in postsecondary education by adopting a deeply learner-centered approach tailored to meet current challenges and opportunities. For College Futures Foundation, being learner-centered begins by hearing directly from learners — not only those who are currently enrolled, but more importantly, those who have stopped out and those who have never had the chance to enroll.
Through our vital partnership with Gallup and Lumina Foundation, we have gathered insights from over 1,300 Californians without a college degree about their attitudes, values, experiences, and challenges related to postsecondary education. The findings in our new State of Higher Education in California report reveal that while Californians overwhelmingly value a postsecondary degree or credential, many struggle with attainment because of the difficulties balancing education with work or personal responsibilities.
We hope the insights from this survey will empower institutional leaders, innovators, policymakers, and advocates to better understand how to support learner-centered innovations, reduce barriers to obtaining postsecondary degrees or credentials, and ensure attainment aligns to better jobs and upward economic mobility. Together, we can meet this moment and set a course toward a brighter future where all Californians can thrive.