Nevada Must Improve College Participation and Credential Attainment Rates to Remain Competitive

• To remain globally competitive, the U.S. and each state should ensure that at least 60% of adults ages 25 to 64 have an associate or bachelor’s degree by 2025. In Nevada, the current rate is 29.5%.

• Nevada ranks 1^st among 50 states in the size of the credential increase it needs to achieve annually. To meet the 60% goal, it will need to produce an additional 407,512 degrees by 2025.

• By achieving rates of the top-performing states, Nevada can produce about 173,000 bachelor’s degrees, 140,000 associate degrees and 34,000 certificates by 2025.

Meeting Top Performers Produces Significant Personal Economic Return

Per capita income increases when the state meets top performers

• Under current postsecondary investment patterns, annual personal per capita income in Nevada is projected to increase by about $220 in 2025.
• By meeting top performers, annual per capita income would increase significantly more, by approximately $1,800 in 2025.

Meeting Top Performance Produces Significant Economic Returns to the State

Status quo produces small returns

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, Nevada’s
state revenues will increase by about $50 million in 2025.

Meeting top performance pays off

By meeting top performance, Nevada will generate more annual revenue, topping approximately $425 million in 2025.

Revenues and Costs Increase When Meet Top Performing States

Status Quo: Costs exceed revenues

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, Nevada’s postsecondary costs exceed state revenues by about $200
million by 2025.

Meet top performance: Revenues exceed costs

By matching top performing states, costs and revenues go up. Revenues are below costs primarily because Nevada lacks a state income tax (unlike most states).

This analysis was prepared using the CLASP-NCHEMS Return on Investment Dashboard tool.  See clasp2022.tealmedia.dev/ROIdashboard