Michigan residents with degrees, skills certificates rises, but state ranking falls

February 9, 2026

Michigan has increased its postsecondary education attainment rate from 49. 1% in 2019 to 51. 6% in 2024, moving toward Governor Whitmer's goal of reaching 60% by 2030, despite investing millions in scholarship programs for students and adults.

Who is affected

Michigan residents ages 25-64, particularly those seeking postsecondary credentials
Traditional college students and adult learners benefiting from state scholarship programs
Underrepresented minority groups (Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native residents) experiencing educational attainment gaps
Residents of 81 Michigan counties that have not yet reached the 60% attainment goal
Michigan's workforce and employers competing nationally for talent
Public universities and community colleges in Michigan

What action is being taken

Michigan is investing millions of dollars in scholarship programs including Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the Community College Guarantee
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is working to expand access to affordable education
The Lumina Foundation is tracking educational attainment nationally and has introduced a new "credentials of value" metric

Why it matters

Educational attainment directly correlates with economic prosperity, as evidenced by Michigan ranking 40th nationally in per-capita income—its lowest ranking ever. States with higher per-capita income have significantly larger shares of residents with four-year degrees or higher. Falling behind other states in educational attainment undermines Michigan's workforce competitiveness and ability to achieve state economic goals. The new "credentials of value" metric emphasizes that the quality and economic benefit of credentials matter as much as the quantity, ensuring that educational investments translate into meaningful wage improvements for residents.

What's next

Glazer stated that Michigan's next governor should prioritize credentials that have more value. The state Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential indicated it remains focused on continuing investments that help more Michiganders complete education and training. The Lumina Foundation has set a national goal that 75% of adults in the U.S. labor force will have college degrees or other credentials of value by 2040.

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com