State of Higher Education in California Research
College Futures Foundation and Gallup survey Californians without a degree to understand what drives them to pursue higher education, what gets in the way and how higher education enrollment trends are shifting for today’s learners.
Thank you for downloading The 2025 State of California Learners report.
California’s Higher Education Challenge
California’s workforce is facing a growing skills gap, with employer demand for college-educated workers outpacing current completion levels.
More than six million Californians have started but not finished a college program, leaving individuals without the economic mobility they sought and employers without the skilled talent they need.
The study explores Californians’ motivations for enrolling, revealing the most common reasons for pursuing higher education, from job opportunities to personal fulfillment.
These findings will help leaders design systems that reflect today’s student realities, especially for those returning to college as an adult while balancing work, family and financial pressures.
California’s Higher Education Challenge
California’s workforce is facing a growing skills gap, with employer demand for college-educated workers outpacing current completion levels.
More than six million Californians have started but not finished a college program, leaving individuals without the economic mobility they sought and employers without the skilled talent they need.
The study explores Californians’ motivations for enrolling, revealing the most common reasons for pursuing higher education, from job opportunities to personal fulfillment.
These findings will help leaders design systems that reflect today’s student realities, especially for those returning to college as an adult while balancing work, family and financial pressures.
Download The 2025 State of California Learners report
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