South Carolina 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 South Carolina, the current rate is 34.8%.
• South Carolina ranks 18th 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 363,676 degrees by 2025.

• By achieving rates of the top-performing states, South Carolina can produce about 190,000 bachelor’s degrees, 118,000 associate degrees and 97,000 certificates by 2025.

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Personal Economic Return

Per capita income increases when the state meets 60% credential attainment goal

• Under current postsecondary investment patterns, annual personal per capita income in South Carolina is projected to decrease by about $27 in 2025.
• By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, annual per capita income would increase significantly more, by approximately $1,500 in 2025.

Meeting Credential Goal Produces Significant Economic Returns to the State

Status quo produces negative returns

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, South Carolina’s state revenues will decrease by about $14 million 
in 2025.

Meeting 60% credential goal pays off

By meeting the 60% credential goal, South Carolina will generate more annual revenue, topping approximately $930 million in 
2025.

State Revenues Exceed Costs When Credential Goal is Met

Status Quo: Costs exceed revenues

Under current postsecondary investment patterns, South Carolina’s postsecondary costs exceed state revenues by 
about $20 million by 2025.

Meet 2025 goal: Revenues exceed costs

By meeting the 60% credential attainment goal, South Carolina’s revenues exceed postsecondary costs by about $655 million by 2025.

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