The state of Michigan ranks 40th in per capita income — its lowest ranking ever. The new 2025 State of Education and Talent report from the Detroit Regional Chamber reveals what’s driving this decline: educational attainment. The Detroit Region ranks last among peer cities, with only 55% of working-age adults holding a post-high school credential. The data is clear — there’s no such thing as a prosperous region that isn’t highly educated: bachelor’s degree holders have five times the net worth of high school graduates, face unemployment rates three times lower, and earn nearly twice as much.

While the report underscores the urgency, it also highlights the progress made, recommendations for improvement and solutions that work, including programs like Detroit Promise, Michigan Reconnect and expanded dual enrollment that are moving the needle. Detroit Promise students are graduating at rates that far exceed their peers. Among four-year enrollees, 61% of Promise students earned degrees within six years compared to 38% of all City of Detroit students. With 87% of Detroit high school seniors now registered for the Promise and 8,000+ students served to date, this tuition-free pathway is proving that when we remove financial barriers and provide coaching support, students succeed.