More degrees, more money: Higher education leaders aim to boost economy

Wyoming’s higher education leaders are looking at ways to increase the number of Wyoming residents with college degrees or postsecondary certificates.

The task is grounded in research from the Georgetown University Center of Education and the Workforce that looks at how a state’s level of educational attainment and is related to its economy.

“The more educated the population, typically, the more robust the economy,” University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols said. “So, there’s a direct link between educational attainment of a population and economic development and economic vitality, and they’re very closely related to one another.”

Wyoming’s level of educational attainment — the percentage of its residents ages 25-64 with a postsecondary certificate, associate degree or higher — is roughly equal to the national average of 45.8 percent, according to the Lumina Foundation.

Lumina is a private foundation active across the nation in its mission to increase the country’s level of educational attainment.

The foundation aims to see 60 percent of Americans having “high-quality” degrees by 2025 and advances this mission by convincing states to enact a statewide attainment goal that is “quantifiable, challenging, long-term, addresses gaps, and is in statute and/or a strategic plan.”

To date, 26 states have set goals meeting Lumina’s criteria. The foundation wants Wyoming to become number 27.

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