5.2.2.b Post Secondary Education Discussion

Continuing education is pivotal to the advancement of residents and economic opportunities. To raise the educational opportunities the city of Surprise researches methods to bring universities, trade schools, and colleges to the region.

B.1 Growth

Arizona will experience a 51 per cent increase in the number of high school graduates by 2018 according to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). For Arizona this equates to over 80,000 students who deserve the opportunity to attend an institution of higher learning. This creates an open market for public and private post secondary education to fill. As of 2007 Arizona State University (ASU) enrolled just over 64,000 students with only 14 per cent of said enrollment as new undergraduates. With the increase in the number of students seeking education, the Arizona public university system will not be able to accommodate the projected increase in student enrollment as shown by Figure 5.2A for ASU without expanding services.

Figure 5.2A - Source: Michael Crow, President- ASU, Profile of the New American University, 2007.

B.2 Underserved Market

The Surprise area is severely underserved by educational opportunities. The nearest educational institutions are ten miles away (Thunderbird School of Global Management, ASU West Campus). Currently the nearest two year transfer or technical schools are over ten miles away (Glendale Community College–eleven miles). Surprise currently only offers extension classes through Rio Salado College. This is a beginning, but not enough to provide the educational choices residents deserve. Table 5.2A provides a comparison of the number of educational facilities in cities of similar and projected 2020 population to of Surprise.

The market for educational opportunities in Surprise can be expanded by targeting facilities that tailor their education to take advantage of the unique demographics and resources available in the region. Surprise is currently served by two hospitals that specialize in geriatric medicine. This coupled with the shortage of doctors in the region creates an opportunity for medical schools and job opportunities for future graduates.

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