Expanding Access to Earning College Credit in High School Could Raise Educational Attainment and Strengthen Arizona’s Economy
New analysis shows early college opportunities connect education and the economy, delivering on voter priorities for higher attainment and long-term prosperity for ArizonaExpanding access to programs for high school students to earn college credit, known as dual enrollment, could help Arizona reach higher levels of educational attainment, strengthen its talent and workforce pipelines, and fuel growth, according to new findings from Unlocking Potential: Turn Arizona’s Priorities into Economic Gains, released by Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA).
The independent study, conducted by Rounds Consulting Group, measures the return on investment Arizona could achieve by acting on one of voters’ highest education priorities: increasing education and training beyond high school, starting with broader access to college-level courses that count toward both a diploma and a degree. The report finds that dual enrollment is a proven bridge between K-12 learning, higher education, and workforce readiness that can drive opportunity and success for generations to come.
Through years of public opinion research, CFA has found that education consistently ranks among Arizonans’ top priorities, with strong agreement that a highly educated and skilled population is essential to the state’s success. CFA’s Arizona Voters’ Agenda research also shows voters want long-term planning and decisions that move beyond political cycles. Large majorities across political and generational lines specifically support increasing access to dual enrollment and other early college programs because these pathways lead to higher post-secondary attainment, better-paying jobs, and greater opportunity statewide.
“Arizona voters overwhelmingly agree that education drives opportunity, and that expanding access to dual enrollment is a way to deliver on that opportunity,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA. “Dual enrollment bridges high school and higher education, saves time and money, and helps students enter the workforce prepared for the jobs our economy needs most. This is future-focused planning in action — exactly what Arizonans want to see.”
While dual enrollment is one of the most proven strategies for increasing educational attainment, access across Arizona remains uneven, shaped by differences in local partnerships, outreach, and cost structures. Some students benefit from robust collaborations between their high schools and nearby colleges, while others have limited or no opportunities to earn early college credit at low or no cost. As a result, a student’s ZIP code often determines their awareness of and ability to participate in dual enrollment programs. The Unlocking Potential analysis shows that expanding access and reducing cost barriers would deliver major returns for families, communities, and the state.
Key Dual Enrollment Findings at a Glance
The analysis reveals the broad and lasting benefits:
- Faster degree completion: Dual enrollment students spend up to nearly two fewer years in college, accelerating entry into the workforce.
- $12,800 in annual family savings: Students save on tuition, fees, and living costs, making higher education more affordable and attainable.
- Higher lifetime earnings: Students who earn college credit in high school are twice as likely to continue their education and can expect significantly higher lifetime earnings — averaging $3.3 million for those completing an associate’s degree and $4.7 million for those earning a bachelor’s degree.
- $47.8 million in economic output and $3.5 million in new tax revenue for every additional 2,000 students who participate — showing even modest growth in participation delivers scalable returns.
“These findings underscore that early college opportunities are part of the critical infrastructure for Arizona,” said Jim Rounds, President of Rounds Consulting Group. “Dual enrollment is one of the most efficient, high-return investments the state can make. Helping students complete college faster, earn more over their careers, and fill high-demand jobs contributes directly to sustained statewide growth. Too often, we focus only on the cost of action rather than the value of return. This analysis shows how applying a long-term ROI mindset can lead to smarter investments and a stronger economy.”
The Unlocking Potential analysis applies Arizona-specific data on wages, labor force participation, and educational attainment, combined with nationally recognized economic modeling. The report estimates the scale of potential benefits without prescribing specific policy solutions.
The report also includes in-depth analyses of voter-backed priorities in childcare, housing, post-secondary attainment, and transportation — finding how these interconnected systems form infrastructure of a strong economy and a thriving future. CFA is releasing a series of issue-specific briefs and will engage leaders statewide to explore how these findings can inform long-term planning, smarter investments, and sustained collaboration across sectors.
All findings, methodology, and resources are available at arizonafuture.org/UnlockPotential.