Michael Burke
October 5, 2026
Most California adults without a college education see the value in a postsecondary degree, but face barriers to enrolling in those programs, according to a new study.
The College Futures Foundation partnered with Gallup to survey 1,250 Californians between 18 and 59 who have a high school diploma or equivalent but who have not completed an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Nine out of 10 respondents said that at least one type of college degree or credential is either “extremely valuable” or “very valuable.” However, more than 80% of them said they face at least one significant barrier to enrolling, such as the cost, program location or the time of day that classes are scheduled.
Many of those adults would be interested in enrolling in what the study describes as “evolving learning models,” including colleges that offer online, competency-based coursework. About 44% of respondents said they would be “very likely” to enroll in that type of college, while 42% said they would be “somewhat likely” to do so.
Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, said in an interview that he hopes the Legislature and next governor “make serving working learners an explicit state priority” in next year’s budget cycle.