Postsecondary Degrees and Credentials
In 2022, 55% of Maine adults had a credential of value, the same as 2021.
No significant movement since the last available data
Benchmark: By 2025, 60% of Maine adults will have a degree or non-degree credential of value.
Overview
In 2022, an estimated 55% of Maine adults ages 25-64 held an associate, bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree, or a non-degree credential of value, the same percentage as in 2021. Maine has made significant progress in this area, with the percentage of adults holding a credential of value rising 5% since 2018. The Council supports Maine’s statutory goal of 60% of adults holding a degree or a non-degree credential by 2025—a goal promoted by MaineSpark, a coalition of educational institutions, nonprofits, foundations, government agencies, and businesses.
This metric recognizes the growing importance of non-degree career paths, including professional certifications, licenses, digital badges, and military service. The Lumina Foundation reports that in 2022, 7.3% of Maine adults ages 25-64 who lacked postsecondary degrees held one of these occupational credentials. That is above the New England average of 6.0% and below the national average of 7.8%.
Fig. A
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Adult Degree Attainment Rates, 2022
Source: Lumina Foundation