New Jersey's state higher education plan, "Where Opportunity Meets Innovation – A Student-Centered Vision for New Jersey Higher Education," introduced in 2019, aims to create an educational ecosystem that offers high-quality credentials to all residents. A recent report evaluates the state's progress toward this goal, examining policy effectiveness and societal factors affecting equity.
The report highlights some achievements in affordability and accessibility of higher education between fiscal years 2019 and 2023. Notably, inflation-adjusted tuition and fees decreased across various institutions, with reductions ranging from 9.6% at community colleges to 31.6% at independent proprietary institutions. Additionally, the net price of public higher education for low-income students fell significantly by 29% for four-year institutions and 14% for two-year institutions during this period.
However, enrollment has declined over the past decade, accelerating since FY 2020. Full-time equivalent enrollment dropped by 2.3% between FY 2014 and FY 2019 and by another 6.6% between FY 2019 and FY 2023.
Despite these challenges, graduation rates have improved since 2019, including among historically marginalized populations. Two-year institution graduation rates increased nearly four percentage points, while four-year institutions saw about a one percentage point rise from 2019 to 2023.
New Jersey's educational attainment rate reached 58.9%, ranking it eighth nationally in 2022.* The state ranks high in degree attainment among American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN), Asian or Pacific Islander (API), and White individuals but less favorably among Black and Hispanic students.
Progress has been noted in boosting attainment rates for AIAN, Black, Hispanic, and White students with over ten percentage point increases from 2009 to 2022; API student progress was lower at a five-point increase over the same period. Pursuing higher education correlates with increased median earnings for New Jersey graduates.
The report provides insights into the Plan’s implementation based on data from the Governor’s Performance Center. It suggests active engagement from both four-year colleges/universities and community colleges alongside significant efforts by state agencies despite setbacks due to COVID-19.
In terms of design alignment with vision/goals outlined through ten objectives within this framework - involving diverse stakeholders - recommendations focus on improving policy design/implementation management while considering future strategies for higher education advancement.
*The Lumina Foundation recently updated educational attainment rates showing New Jersey achieving a rate of 59.3% in 2023.
