New Research from Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona Reaffirms Value of Increasing Postsecondary Attainment

PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 7, 2026 — At a time when the value of college is increasingly questioned, new research from Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona finds that education after high school remains one of the most reliable pathways to economic mobility, workforce readiness and broader prosperity.

Billions in the Balance: Postsecondary Attainment, Talent Creation, and Economic Opportunity in Arizona follows the organizations’ 2023 report and uses updated economic modeling to examine what Arizona stands to gain by helping more students enroll in and complete postsecondary education.

Key findings from the research include:

• Arizona has billions in the balance. If the state’s 2026 high school cohort reaches a 60 percent postsecondary attainment rate, the estimated lifetime economic gains would exceed $11 billion.
• Even incremental progress would generate significant returns. A 20 percent increase in college enrollment could produce an estimated $5.8 billion in social gains, while a 10 percent increase in college completion could generate approximately $3 billion in gains.
• Postsecondary education continues to deliver substantial individual value. Compared with an Arizonan whose education ends with high school, estimated lifetime gains exceed $217,000 for some college, $354,000 for an associate degree, $1.1 million for a bachelor’s degree and nearly $1.4 million for an advanced degree.
• High-demand industries underscore the need for more credentialed talent. The report examines healthcare and semiconductor-related manufacturing, two sectors central to Arizona’s economy, and shows how increasing credential production in high-demand fields could help close workforce gaps while producing significant economic returns.

“These findings reinforce that education beyond high school continues to create substantial value for individuals and for Arizona,” said Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “The opportunity is clear: helping more students access and complete postsecondary education can strengthen economic mobility, expand the state’s talent pipeline and create long-term benefits for communities across Arizona.”

The findings also point to a broader workforce challenge. Arizona will need to educate, attract, and retain talent while ensuring more Arizona residents can connect to opportunity through postsecondary pathways that are affordable, understandable and achievable.

“Arizona’s economic future depends on making sure more students can see a clear connection between education and opportunity,” said Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “That means building pathways that help students earn the credentials employers need and give more Arizonans access to the benefits of the state’s economic growth.”

Learn more and explore the full report HERE.

About Helios Education Foundation

Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary attainment for all students in Arizona and Florida, with an emphasis on low-income and historically underrepresented communities. For more than 20 years and driven by the fundamental beliefs of community, equity, investment, and partnership, Helios has invested more than $350 million in partnerships and initiatives focused on improving education outcomes in the two states it serves. Learn more at helios.org.

About Education Forward Arizona

Education Forward Arizona is a statewide advocacy organization keeping education at the center of the conversation about advancing pathways to economic opportunity, a high-demand, highly skilled, high-wage workforce, and a stronger Arizona. Working directly and in partnership with education, business, and civic leaders, Education Forward Arizona helps drive progress toward the state’s postsecondary attainment goal, Achieve60AZ, a key indicator on the Arizona Education Progress Meter. This includes advocating for policies, funding, and cross-sector strategies that support progress for communities statewide. Its work spans the education continuum—from early learning through postsecondary education and workforce training—and includes scholarships and mentoring that help Arizonans gain skills and credentials.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Griselda Zetino

480-734-8083

gzetino@helios.org

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