The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, in partnership with ReUp Education, released a report Dec. 2 on the state’s Some College, No Degree initiative.
This effort has helped re-enroll more than 13,500 New Jersey residents who halted some college studies before earning their credential. As a result, the 22 participating colleges and universities have recaptured $74 million in tuition, and more than 1,400 re-enrollers have graduated thus far.
“The Some College, No Degree initiative is a game changer for New Jerseyans who had to put their higher education pursuits on hold. Through this initiative, we are working across sectors to put a college degree back within reach for our residents, empowering them to return to the classroom,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.
The state estimates nearly 840,000 New Jersey adults have stopped out with some college credit. This initiative is an attempt to remove barriers to college completion, close opportunity gaps, and promote social mobility and economic competitiveness through a skilled workforce.
The initiative’s results are rooted in a strategic statewide re-enrollment marketplace, developed in collaboration with ReUp Education, which connects over 280,000 eligible stopped out learners from participating institutions with access to live coaching, tailored support, and curated education options from institutions across the State.
Among the highlights from the report are:
- Re-enrollment at scale: On average, it takes 24 touch points (texts, emails, meetings) before a stopped out student re-enrolls. Since 2023, Some College, No Degree has supported the re-enrollment of 13,500 learners and initiated a total of 28,000 learners to actively explore their return to complete a degree.
- Expanding talent pipelines: Returning learners pursued degree pathways that tied to statewide sectors needing talent such as health care, engineering, computer science, and protective services.
- Barrier reduction: Connecting learners to financial aid opportunities and personalized coaching helped address the top two reasons keeping students from returning, cost (51%) followed by balancing time (22%).
- Economic ripple effects: The employment and economic activity of each new graduate will increase the annual GDP of New Jersey by an estimated $137,793 and generate an average of 7.1 additional jobs.
