Postsecondary Completion
The Problem
Texas Jobs Requiring a Postsecondary Credential are Increasing While Postsecondary Enrollment is Declining
Students who do not earn a postsecondary credential within six years of leaving high school have only a 12% chance of earning a living wage.
In Texas, postsecondary enrollment within one year of graduating high school has declined over the past decade.
The number of jobs in Central Texas requiring a postsecondary credential is growing. Our education pipeline needs to support more students to complete postsecondary credentials to meet the needs of local industry.
In Central Texas alone, we will need to fill an estimated 20,000 advanced manufacturing jobs in the next five years.
Yet, only 157 high school students graduated with an Industry-Based Certification (IBC) or Career & Technical Education (CTE) sequence of courses in advanced manufacturing in the Central Texas class of 2021.
Systemically Underserved Students
We see clear indicators that the education system is not serving our Black and Hispanic students and students from low-income households.
As housing and living costs increase, the situation could push students unable to make a living wage out of the robust Central Texas economy.
Data & Trends
Ongoing Strategies
The barriers to enrolling in, persisting, and completing a postsecondary program are significant.
While fewer students are enrolling in postsecondary, those that do are earning credentials at higher rates.
As a system, we must break down the obstacles to enrollment. It is our mission to address student needs, including
- lowering overall cost.
- simplifying the application process.
- simplifying the transfer process.
- providing flexible class schedules.
- building a robust and holistic support network.
Initiatives to Watch
- In October 2023, Concordia University Texas announced The Right Call Initiative. They created a new pricing structure that reduces the cost of tuition by almost 40%.
- Austin Community College (ACC) has made tuition free for many Central Texas students starting in the 2024-25 school year.
- Students working towards applied degrees at St. Edward’s University can receive college credit for work experience.
- Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA), together with E3 Alliance, has launched a major initiative to increase enrollment in courses that lead to a credential in Advanced Manufacturing by 550% over the next five years.