Research & Resources - Everything to Gain

Never-before-seen data in the state of Arizona

The Everything to Gain Campaign is conducting thoughtful public opinion polling to learn more about Arizonans’ beliefs about education and training after high school—and what keeps them from participating in it.

The first poll documented that Arizona voters believe that some learning beyond high school is necessary for a person to be successful in today’s work world, whether that means attending a workforce certification program, a 2-year career-training degree or a 4-year degree. Arizona voters also believe that people who have completed education or training after high school are usually better off financially and have a better quality of life than those who do not.

The data are so overwhelming that the findings show that supporting opportunities to increase education and training after high school is a winning issue for policymakers. Indeed, pollsters say the findings present a mandate for Arizona leaders to do more.

The second poll surveyed Arizonans ages 18 to 40 about why they hadn’t attempted or finished an education degree or workforce certificate. The majority of respondents said they recognized that their lives would have been better if they had completed additional education or training. They reported that the largest obstacle to pursuing education and training opportunities was cost. While cost is not a new issue, it remains the predominant issue. The findings cancel out a lot of noise (lack of information, location of options, political bias) often heard in current narratives about other barriers.

Our latest poll campaign reveals strong public demand for increased access to education and training after high school. The data shows that 95% of voters support expanding career training programs, and 93% favor broadening dual enrollment opportunities. Additionally, three in four voters are more likely to support candidates who prioritize these goals. These findings highlight the need for policymakers to align with public sentiment and invest in expanding educational opportunities. By doing so, Arizona can unlock billions in new revenue and ensure a brighter future for all Arizonans.

Billions to Gain

Billions to Gain, research conducted by Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona, shows the overwhelming economic benefit of increasing enrollment in education and training for Arizona residents.

One key data point: Increasing higher education enrollment by 20 percent could lead to more than $5 billion in economic gains for Arizona—each and every year.

The benefits for individuals include higher earnings and better job security. The benefits for all Arizonans will be a stronger economy, better fiscal health, and social benefits such as lower crime rates, better health, and reduced spending on welfare.

Messaging Toolkits

The future of Arizona depends on increasing the number of Arizona adults who attain education and training after high school.

How we talk about this consistently matters. Our team is developing communications toolkits and resources that help us all—whether we work in K12, higher education, business, policy, or the media—speak effectively and frame the issue in ways that garner support.