The new knowledge-based economy has made a higher education more important than ever. Not only will students have the potential to earn more over their lifetimes, but countless opportunities will emerge because of the college experience. Local, regional and national realities inform College Equals Opportunity including:
Although 42% of all 25-64 year olds in the United States have achieved higher education degrees, the US still lags in higher education attainment behind many other countries including Canada (51%), Israel (46%), Japan (45%), Russia (54%), and Korea (65%). Thus, prioritizing higher education in the state of NH helps America to be competitive in the global economy.
However in the face of a greater demand for a college education in the workforce, the United States faces record college costs and student loan debt. NH recently ranked first in the nation for average loan debt per student. National 7 out of 10 college seniors who graduated in 2014 had student loan debt with an average of $ 28,950 per borrower. In New Hampshire, students graduated with an average of $33,410 in student loan debt.
NH’s attainment of STEM and health field degrees is lower than the national average. NH ranks 21st of the 50 states for associates degrees in for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and 32nd for bachelor’s degrees . The state ranks 13.5% for health professions and related clinical sciences compared to 17.6% nationally.
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