Investing in CTE: What the Data Tells Us About Workforce Returns

04/23/2025

At AccelerateMS, we talk a lot about workforce development—and for good reason. Mississippi’s economic future depends on how well we prepare our people for high-skill, high-demand, high-wage careers. One of the most powerful tools we have to do that? Career and Technical Education (CTE). 

This year, we took a deep dive into the return on investment (ROI) of Mississippi’s secondary and postsecondary CTE programs. We wanted to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how we can do better—because when it comes to building a strong workforce, every dollar (and decision) matters. 

Are CTE programs paying off? Short answer: yes—but with some important caveats. 

Community college CTE programs are delivering strong returns for Mississippi. For every $1 invested, the state gains $3.14 over a 10-year period—a clear win for taxpayers, students, and the broader economy. About 70% of these programs are already aligned with quality jobs, and the data suggests the return on investment could be even higher if all programs were focused on high-demand, high-wage careers. 

On the other hand, K-12 CTE programs are showing more modest returns—just $0.63 for every $1 invested. That lower figure makes sense given that high school students typically don’t enter the workforce right away. Still, it highlights an important question: What’s the true purpose of K-12 CTE? Is it simply to provide broad exposure to career pathways, or should it be more tightly focused on preparing students for specific, high-quality jobs? Defining that purpose more clearly will be key to improving outcomes and maximizing impact. 

ROI varies across the state depending on the region—or what we call “ecosystems.” Some ecosystems, like 4 and 5, are outperforming others. Ecosystem 3, for example, is showing lower returns, which means we need to take a closer look at things like local job opportunities and wage levels. 

It’s also clear that the same program can perform differently in different places. That tells us we need more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Reviewing results program-by-program and region-by-region will help us focus resources where they matter most. 

One of the most powerful stats in this report is that students who completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree saw their annual earnings jump from around $13,000 to nearly $44,000 just one year after entering the workforce. That’s a $30,000+ gain. 

Even those who completed a certificate program saw wages rise by about $20,000—from $15,446 to $35,357. 

Plus, AAS grads earned an average of $8,334 more per year than certificate holders. That’s the kind of impact that doesn’t just benefit individuals—it boosts families, communities, and the entire state economy. 

We’ve got a solid foundation, but there’s room to grow. Here’s what we’re focused on next: 

• Scale what works: Replicate high-performing programs in regions where demand is high. 

• Dig deeper into the data: Especially at the program level—not just the school or college level. 

• Focus on the student: ROI to the individual matters just as much (if not more) than ROI to the system. 

• Improve data reporting: Especially from K-12, where we still lack program-level financial data and outcomes for students who head straight to work. 

• Align programs with real demand: If credentials don’t lead to jobs, they’re not serving anyone. 

We’re also working on tracking outcomes for students who partially complete a program—because even partial training can create meaningful pathways into the workforce. 

CTE is more than just a buzzword. It’s a powerful, proven way to grow Mississippi’s workforce—if we invest wisely. That means putting our energy into the programs that deliver real returns, rethinking the ones that don’t, and keeping student success at the center of everything we do. 

Read the full analysis here.