"The State of Higher Education in California," a report designed by the Campaign for College Opportunity, addresses the future of California's economy depends on the educational success of Latinos.

Also, the report provides comprehensive data on the current state of college access and completion, and what it means for the state's economy and the Latino population in the state.

Thirty-nine percent of the state population is Latino, half of children under the age of 18 in the state are Latino and 83 percent of California's Latinos are of Mexican descent. Forty-one percent of California Latinos between the ages of 25 and 64 were born in the United States.

California, which has the 8th largest economy in the world, is home to more than 15 million Latinos. According to the research, Latinos are graduating from high school, completing coursework needed for four-year public universities, and enrolling in college, particularly four-year universities, in greater numbers than ever before.

Each generation of Latino Californians is more educated than previous ones; and today, far more have high school diplomas and college degrees than two decades ago. Yet, Latinos are still lagging behind other racial/ethnic groups when it comes to overall college readiness, enrollment and degree completion rates.

The report shared that gaps and disparities still contribute to inadequate preparation from high schools and the weak coordination between high school and college. Making sure college is attainable by all depends on widespread investments and educational expectations. Also, responding to the needs of students and workforce, and improving "college knowledge" programs will produce better outcomes. As the report eloquently stated, "As a majority-minority state, California can only succeed as a whole if all groups share in that success... [and] the success of all ethnic groups is essential for a strong economy and vibrant civil society."

Approximately 38 percent of Latino population doesn't have a high school diploma/GED -- which is lower than all other groups -- yet 28 percent of all Latinos have high school diplomas/GEDs, which is higher than blacks, whites and the state's average. Also, 19 percent of Latino have "some college, no degree," which is higher than Asians (16 percent). Furthermore, the report shared that overall, younger Latinos tend to have more education and college degrees than older Latinos. Also, native-born Latinos are more than twice as likely to have college degrees as foreign-born Latinos.

Latinos are underrepresented in every segment of higher education. However, while educational attainment is still low among Latinos, it has steadily improved since 1990. The number of Latino adults without a high school diploma dropped by 12 percentage points to 41 percent. Also, according to the study, the number of Latino students placed into pre-college level coursework in one year alone could fill the largest stadium in California, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, more than one and a half times.

There has been a 350 percent increase in Latino college applicants and a 1.7 percent increase in Latino admits. Approximately two-thirds of Latino college freshmen enroll in California's Community College -- which awards a certificate, degree or transfer to four out of ten Latino students -- and almost two-thirds of Latino students transfer into the California State University. Also, 30 percent of Latinos transfer to a four-year university from a California community college within six years.