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Education  \nReport to the Colorado House of Representatives Education Committee and the Colorado Senate Education Committee  \nStatute: CRS 23-1-1  \nThe Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE), under its own authority and through the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), oversees and coordinates policy for 31 public institutions of higher education (including community colleges, independent local district colleges and local area technical colleges) and authorizes and regulates private colleges, universities and occupational schools.  \nMission – We support students, advocate and develop policies to maximize higher education opportunities for all.  \nVision – All Coloradans will have an education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve our communities.  \nPrepared and submitted by the Colorado Department of Higher Education under the Executive Leadership of JB Holston Pursuant to the statutory authority of CRS 23-1-135  \nJuly 2026  \n1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202 For more information contact:  \nRyan Gedney, Talent Pipeline Senior Analyst Data, Research & Policy  \n[CDHE@dhe.state.co.us](CDHE@dhe.state.co.us)  \nTable of Contents  \nTable of Figures ................................................................................................................................... 4  \nTable of Appendix Tables .................................................................................................................... 5  \nIntroduction ........................................................................................................................................ 7  \nReport Highlights .............................................................................................................................. 10  \nStudent Enrollment and Completion ................................................................................................. 11  \nTime and Credits to Complete a Certificate or Degree ...................................................................... 17  \nAverage Cost to Complete a Certificate or Degree ............................................................................ 21  \nAverage Student Loan Debt to Complete a Certificate or Degree ..................................................... 24  \nEmployment Rates ............................................................................................................................ 28  \nWage Outcomes of Graduates........................................................................................................... 31  \nLegislative Highlights and Promising Practices................................................................................... 46  \nCalculating Colorado’s Minimum Value Threshold ........................................................................... 49  \nAppendix A: Methodology and Other Technical Information ............................................................ 51  \nAppendix B: Broad Instructional Programs Crosswalk ...................................................................... 54  \nAppendix C: Characteristics of Recent Graduates at Public Institutions ............................................. 56  \nTable of Figures  \nFigure 1: Fall Undergraduate Resident Degree-Seeking Enrollment at Colorado Public Institutions by Credential Type, 2018 to  \n2024   12  \nFigure 2: Number of Resident Certificates and Undergraduate Degrees Awarded at Colorado  \nPublic Institutions, Academic Years 2017-18 to 2024-25 ........................................................... 13  \nFigure 3: Distribution of Broad Instructional  \nPrograms for Credentials Completed at Colorado Public Institutions, Academic Year 2024-25 ........................................................... 14  \nFigure 4: Average Number of Years to Complete a Credential at Colorado Public Institutions, Across Three Acad","cbCaiqf4wPbbeORo","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiqf4wPbbeORo","pdf",3448772,65,"English","# Table of Contents\n## Table of Figures\n## Table of Appendix Tables\n## Introduction\n## Report Highlights\n## Student Enrollment and Completion\n## Time and Credits to Complete a Certificate or Degree\n## Average Cost to Complete a Certificate or Degree\n## Average Student Loan Debt to Complete a Certificate or Degree\n## Employment Rates\n## Wage Outcomes of Graduates\n## Legislative Highlights and Promising Practices\n## Calculating Colorado’s Minimum Value Threshold\n## Appendix A: Methodology and Other Technical Information\n## Appendix B: Broad Instructional Programs Crosswalk\n## Appendix C: Characteristics of Recent Graduates at Public Institutions","[{\"question\":\"What aspects of student outcomes does the report analyze?\",\"answer\":\"It examines enrollment and completion, time and credits needed to finish certificates or degrees, costs to complete, and student loan debt outcomes.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the report evaluate the labor-market impact of credentials?\",\"answer\":\"It reviews employment rates and wage outcomes, including earnings shortly after graduation and at 1, 5, and 10 years by credential type.\"},{\"question\":\"What legislative and policy elements are included?\",\"answer\":\"The report highlights legislative priorities and promising practices and describes how Colorado’s minimum value threshold is calculated, with supporting methodology in the appendices.\"}]","2026 Higher Education Return on Investment Report - 2026 - Legislative Education Committees | PDF",1792050727,164]