From Credential to Opportunity: Regents Announces Credential Goal Met and Record 54% Attainment Rate

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana is celebrating reaching its higher education credential goal four years early, exceeding 85,000 annual completers for the first time.

This early win represents a historic achievement, with completions – ranging from certificates to degrees – increasing by nearly 100% since the goal was set. This success recognizes the significant work of Louisiana’s public, private and proprietary schools in increasing talent development as the state marks more than $250B in economic development wins.

“As we approach 2030, Regents has accelerated its progress on an intentional course to drive Louisiana’s talent imperative by meeting our state’s workforce needs,” said Board Chair Misti S. Cordell. “Our institutions are poised to meet the moment by developing talent with the credentials necessary to prepare Louisiana for the next generation of success.”

“Louisiana’s historic economic investment of more than $250B opens doors of opportunity for more citizens than ever before,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “I am proud that our colleges and universities are focused on connecting students to Louisiana jobs. Reaching the 2030 completion goal four years early is great news to celebrate as our campuses develop record levels of talent and gear up to do even more. This demonstrates what’s possible when we work together to secure a brighter future for our state.”

The goal of doubling the number of credentials produced in a year is one of two 2030 goals set by the Louisiana Board of Regents in 2019. Remaining on track to reach the other goal of 60% educational attainment rate by 2030, Louisiana’s educational attainment rate has reached a record level, at 54% in 2026. This attainment rate is one-and-a-half percentage points higher than the previous record high set in 2025 (52.5%), a new record for the fourth consecutive year, and has grown from 44.2% in 2019. Attainment is measured by the number of in-state residents who hold a credential higher than a high school diploma. It is an important goal set by states across the country, recognizing the economic value of a credential beyond high school in today’s job market.

The Board of Regents shared the historic results as part of its Master Plan Year 7 update on Wednesday during the September Board meeting. The Board reports publicly on the progress toward their 2030 goals each year.

“For Louisiana, the future is now,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed. “Ensuring that our people have the skills and opportunities to fill the jobs of today and those on the horizon is critical to the prosperity of our state. I am proud of the work happening at colleges and universities and the deep collaboration with our workforce and economic development partners as we all focus on talent development and talent retention,”

Given the focus on value in higher education, the state is advancing efforts to strengthen the alignment of education and employment, promoting expanded employer partnerships, quality career coaching, work-integrated learning, and clear career pathways. Together these strategies will help more graduates translate their learning into strong success in the workforce and more careers in Louisiana.

Louisiana ranks 14th nationally in the positive return on investment it produces for public postsecondary graduates according to the Strada Education Foundation’s 2025 State Opportunity Index. To build on this success, the Board of Regents has created a new Beyond Completion Profile to measure in detail the value of the credential and the opportunities it makes possible.

Leaders from across the state and the country, including LABI, Leaders for a Better Louisiana, Louisiana Works, Lumina Foundation, and Ascendium, are celebrating Louisiana’s latest record-setting success.

“Louisiana’s public postsecondary institutions are showing what’s possible in increasing attainment and preparing the state’s future workforce,” said Keith Witham, President and CEO of the Ascendium Education Group. “By advancing meaningful institutional reforms and aligning degrees with statewide workforce needs, Louisiana has expanded pathways to strong earnings for learners while developing the talented workforce that will drive future prosperity for the whole state. Ascendium is proud to support this work and lift it up as a national example.”

In other Board action, the Financial Accountability Uniform Fiscal Policy was approved, as were FY27 operating budgets for Regents, LUMCON, LOSFA, and the four public postsecondary systems. The Board also approved the 2026-2027 institutional academic plans, which included five institutions requesting to develop six new Accelerated Bachelor’s (AccB) degree programs (90-hour).

The next Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, on the campus of Southern University A&M in Baton Rouge.