Washington joins multi-state effort using higher education to drive economic prosperity
State working to set new goal for better-educated, better-trained residents
November 12, 2025
Olympia—Washington has joined Lumina Foundation’s State Attainment Collaborative, a multi-state initiative to help states revise or adopt goals for ensuring people get education or training that leads to good jobs. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will lead the state’s efforts.
This work will build momentum toward Goal 2040: By 2040, three-fourths of adults in the U.S. labor force will have college degrees or other credentials with value that lead to meaningful careers and economic mobility.
Through the collaborative, Washington will work alongside education, business, civic, nonprofit and policy leaders from 12 other states to:
- Define what makes a credential valuable.
- Update its statewide educational attainment goals.
- Align policies and programs to support today’s students.
Other states in the collaborative include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.
“WSAC continually focuses on expanding opportunity for Washington students and residents of all ages,” said Michael P. Meotti, executive director of WSAC. “Our state’s economy offers great career opportunities, and we want to make sure that Washington high school grads are making the most of these to achieve their life goals. Better understanding how degrees and other credentials work out later in life should help us drive success.”
Lumina launched the country’s first national post-high school attainment goal in 2008. This sparked a movement that led 49 states to establish their own state-specific targets. Since then, the share of working-age adults with college degrees or short-term credentials has grown from 39 percent to 55 percent.
“Setting clear goals for increasing degrees and workforce credentials demonstrates a state’s commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening its economy,” said Michelle Asha Cooper, Lumina’s vice president for public policy. “Through formal collaboration, states can refine goals, share lessons and ensure they center on value for individuals, communities and employers.”
More than 20 states have attainment goals that expire this year, as higher education faces increasing pressure to demonstrate value and career alignment.
“Leaders are asking what comes next,” said Patrick Crane, Lumina’s strategy director for state policy. “The collaborative will give states a space to highlight progress and reckon with the challenges ahead.”
By participating in this effort, Washington aims to ensure that learning beyond high school translates into meaningful outcomes for residents and strengthens the state’s economy and workforce.
About Washington Student Achievement Council
The mission of the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is to increase the number of people in Washington who get education or training beyond a high school diploma. WSAC focuses on improving outcomes for people and groups furthest from educational equity. From state financial aid and workforce training to policy and consumer protection, WSAC supports Washingtonians and increases economic opportunity in our state.
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. The foundation envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results and meets the nation’s talent needs through a broad range of credentials. Lumina works toward a system that prepares people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.
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