Voters overwhelming back putting more money into higher education in Arizona, as well has having students attain some for of post-secondary achievement, according to a survey released Friday by the Center for the Future of Arizona.

The results are consistent with the center’s previous findings that show voters believe having a highly educated and skill population is to the benefit of all Arizona, center officials said. The results cut across all demographics and political affiliations.

“Arizonans are telling us loud and clear that they want a future built on access to quality education and opportunity for all,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, chair, president & CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, in a press release. “They see post-secondary attainment, supported by a strong K-12 system, as the foundation of that future, and they expect leaders to take decisive action to make it a reality.”

In the survey, 85% of voters agree the state needs to increase the number of students attending colleges or other training beyond high school. By political parties, that includes 76% of Republicans, 82% of independent and unaffiliated voters, 97% of Democrats, as well as 86% of voters without children under 18 living at home.

The Arizona Education Progress Meter, which tracks post-secondary attainment, shows only 48% of Arizona’s recent high school graduates are enrolling in trade schools, community colleges, and universities the year after graduating, and only 30% are completing a degree or certificate of any kind within six years of graduating high school.

Only 48% of working-age Arizonans age 25-64 hold a post-secondary credential, well below the statewide goal of 60% by 2030.

Along with post-secondary attainment, voters also want increased investment in higher education, with 79% of voters supporting prioritized state investments in public higher education, including 63% of Republicans, 81% of independent and unaffiliated voters, 95% of Democrats, as well as 81% of voters without children under 18 living at home.

Additionally, 77% favor increasing need-based financial aid to encourage more students to enroll in Arizona’s public universities and community colleges. And 66% of voters say recent cuts to the state’s need-based financial aid program are the wrong direction for Arizona. 

“Investing in higher education and financial aid to ensure more students complete education after high school is long-term planning for the state – this is ultimately about creating a more skilled, agile workforce and driving economic growth,” Francis said.

Voters also are looking for improvement in K-12 education, with 64% of voters — including those without children under 18 living at home — believing the state’s K-12 system should rank in the top 25% nationally. Nationally, Arizona ranks 31st in the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress for fourth-grade reading and 33rd in eighth-grade math among the 50 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, with scores slightly below the national average.

Voters see different paths to improve both K-12 and college education systems, with 93% backing dual enrollment classes at high schools that allow students to get college and high school credit at the same time.

Research shows that students who participate in dual enrollment programs are more likely to go on to higher education. Similarly, increasing need-based financial aid will make it more likely that students can pursue and complete post-secondary education, which voters overwhelmingly want, center officials said,

“The data clearly show that Arizonans want to see improvements in K-12 education to ensure every student achieves a degree or credential and is ready for success in life and work for the long run,” said Francis. “It’s critical for leaders to focus on the policies that will drive real progress for all Arizonans and ensure we meet the state’s post-secondary attainment goals. Voters want a comprehensive plan that addresses both K-12 quality and access to education and training beyond high school.”