Entry #5: Educational Divide

As a college student, I can’t help but be a little biased about the importance of education. So, when I read both Governor Doug Ducey’s article, “Ducey: Why Arizona needs more college grads”, and the “Earnings potential goes up a lot for Arizonans with college degrees. Here’s how much” article, I couldn’t help but have an opinion.

Ducey’s article features his Achieve60AZ initiative, which is a step in the right direction, aiming to increase the percentage of adults in Arizona with a college degree or career training to 60% by the year 2030. This long-term goal focuses on collaboration with educators, parents, and leaders to work toward improving education in the state. It makes logical sense that having a more educated population in Arizona could drive economic growth—more businesses, new ideas, and most importantly, progress. However, I can’t help but wonder how accessible this would truly be for all students, especially those from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds.

The second article shines a spotlight on the hard reality that higher education directly impacts earnings. It shows that Arizonans with bachelor’s degrees earn 67% more than high school graduates. The numbers are drastic and suggest that higher education equals financial success. As someone navigating how much I have to pay just for school—not including books or supplies—I constantly feel torn between the promise of future financial gain and the pressure of affording education now. It feels like a privilege, not a right. While the future may seem brighter with a degree, the cost of climbing that ladder can be steep. This growing economic divide between those who have financial support and those who don’t is something we don’t talk about enough.

In my opinion, while Ducey’s goal of improving education is admirable, we can’t have tunnel vision. We really need to examine how many students can’t even access higher education in the first place. Many students take out loans, and some continue paying them off for YEARS—it’s terrifying. We need to ask ourselves: Should education only be for those who can afford it, or should it be a universal opportunity? I believe if Arizona wants to see long-term benefits from a more educated population, we have to create opportunities for EVERYONE. We can’t ignore the real human impact of the educational divide. Families and individuals work hard just to give themselves or their children a shot at a successful future.

Logically, the data shows that higher education increases earning potential, which absolutely benefits the economy. However, if the goal is to push for more education, it must be attainable for all students—not just those who already have the financial means. Make education more affordable, and make it easily accessible.