Rhode Island

Overview

Rhode Island is positioned in the top quarter of states in college participation for young adults, degree completion and median wages. However, these accomplishments are masking some significant challenges, particularly the low attainment rates among students of color and differences in attainment and productivity between the state’s private and public institutions.

To overcome these challenges, the state must develop a strategy that sets clear goals and metrics around postsecondary education, followed by investments in strategies to reach those objectives. These goals should reward institutions that improve degree completion and increase residents’ access to high-demand, high-wage jobs.

Rhode Island has policies on the books that lawmakers could leverage to boost college attainment and economic development, including financial aid programs and the career pathways system. And the House Commission to Study Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility, created in 2011, could provide direction and a policy framework to expand opportunities for more Rhode Island citizens to participate in college, earn credentials and strengthen their employment and earning potential.

Data

How does Rhode Island rank compared to the national average?

Adults 25-64 with college degrees:13th (42.6% vs. 38%)
College attainment gap between whites and minorities:44th (29.8% vs. 23.3%)
High school graduates going directly to college:13th (67.4% vs. 63.3%)
18-24 year-olds enrolled in college:1st (52.8% vs. 36.2%)
25- to 49-year-olds enrolled in college:42nd (5% vs. 7%)
STEM credentials awarded per 1,000 STEM employees:6th (78.6% vs. 54.4%)
Credentials awarded per 1,000 18- to 44-year-olds with no college degree:2nd (57.9% vs. 37.6%)
Workers with college degrees earning low wages:13th (21.2% vs. 22.9%)

For more information, please see the following documents:

Rhode Island Data Profile

Rhode Island Data PowerPoint

Rhode Island is positioned in the top quarter of states in college participation for young adults, degree completion and median wages. However, these accomplishments are masking some significant challenges, particularly the low attainment rates among students of color and differences in attainment between the state’s private and public institutions.

To overcome these two disadvantages, the state must develop a plan to retain young adults and minorities. Strategies should leverage state funds in postsecondary education to support state workforce goals. In a time of limited state resources, investing in credentials and programs of study that fully leverage the efficiencies in the state economy could dramatically increase employment and incomes.

Policies

Boosting College Completion has produced a comprehensive 50-state legislative database related to college completion and workforce development. The database will grow as we continue to collect and analyze policies.

Highlights of Rhode Island’s policies:

Creating a Special House Commission – H.R. 5193 (2011)
Creating Career and Technical Education Metrics – H.B. 6219 (2011)
Creating the State Career Pathways System – H.B. 8220 (2010)
Involving an Accelerated Baccalaureate Program – S.B. 1052 (2009)
Involving an Accelerated Baccalaureate Program – H.B. 7889 (2008)

Check out the BCC database for a more complete summary of Rhode Island’s policies. Click on the Menu arrow for additional options, such as printing the summary.

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Analysis

Boosting College Completion has developed a policy profile for Rhode Island based on an analysis of data and policies related to college completion and workforce development.

Rhode Island Policy Profile

Governor Chafee’s budget would consolidate the Office of Higher Education and Higher Education Assistance Authority, create a $20 million scholarship program and establish a bond issue for capital construction at the state’s higher education institutions. While these budget items could have a positive impact on postsecondary completion rates, a bold strategy would be to set clear goals and metrics around postsecondary education, followed by investments in strategies to reach those objectives. These goals should reward institutions that improve degree completion and increase residents’ access to high-demand, high-wage jobs.

In terms of market share, public postsecondary institutions enrolled 55% of college students in 2010 — a little over 43,000 students. However, the three public institutions only produced 36% of the state’s college degrees and certificates. The lower productivity of the state’s public institutions is masked by the overall education level of state residents and the productivity of Rhode Island’s robust private higher education system.

Policymakers should focus on increasing attainment among adults and people of color, through a combination of student and institutional incentives. Embedding incentives in financial aid and funding formulas could increase attainment, contribute to state economic development goals and produce a workforce not reliant on migration of new residents. To increase college attainment rates and improve economic competitiveness, legislators should:

Leverage the future recommendations of the Special House Commission created by H.R. 5193 (2011) to set state goals and align those objectives with postsecondary funding; the commission will explore strategies that increase student access and college affordability, as well as consider changes to how the state funds its three public postsecondary institutions
Consider performance incentives as a mechanism for encouraging institutions to adopt proven strategies and to meet workforce needs
Explore how the Rhode Island State Grant and Academic Promise programs can be used to encourage adults and students of color to enroll in college and complete credentials in high-need areas
Examine how investments in the State Career Pathways System (H.B. 8220 – 2010) could strengthen alignment between postsecondary training and employment in specific fields.

News & Updates

Dr. Bruce Vandal, Director, Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development Institute, will present to the Rhode Island House Commission to Study Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility on February 7, 2012.