Contact:
Bob Spieldenner
bobspieldenner@schev.edu
(804) 718-9443 (cell)

RICHMOND - The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) released an analysis today that found the Commonwealth ranked seventh in the nation for adults 25-64 with degrees or short-term credentials of value.

The analysis is based on the Stronger Nation and a Brighter Future report by the Lumina Foundation that determined 49.2% of Virginia’s workforce has a post-high school credential and are earning 15% or higher than the national median wage for a high school graduate. Currently, 44.1% of the national labor force have a post-high school credential and are earning at or above the wage benchmark.

Lumina’s goal is 75% of adults in the U.S. labor force having college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity by 2040. Virginia is currently 25.8% short of that goal.

SCHEV’s analysis highlights innovative strategies Virginia is using to proactively increase post-secondary attainment rates, especially with short-term credentials. A primary effort is the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant. Enrollment in the program continues to grow each year, with an all-time high of 15,753 students enrolled in 2024 and a 94% completion rate.

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