Enrollment Rates
The proportion of high school graduates enrolled in college within a year after graduation grew from 49% in 1976 to 54% in 1986, and to 65% in 1996. Between 1996 and 2006, enrollment rate grew slightly to 66%. Among all age groups under 30, the rate of growth in the proportion of the population enrolled in postsecondary education was lower from 1996 to 2006 than in the preceding decade.
Key Takeaways
- College-going rates for black and Hispanic high school graduates grew particularly rapidly from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, but then stagnated and declined from 2003 to 2006.
- In 2006, 69% of white high school graduates immediately entered postsecondary education, compared to about 56% of black and Hispanic high school graduates.
- The proportion of 18- and 19-year-olds enrolled in postsecondary education rose from 36% in 1976 to 42% in 1986, 45% in 1996, and 46% in 2006.
- The most rapid growth came later, between 1986 and 1996, for the older age groups. Among 20- and 21-year-olds, the proportion enrolled rose from 31% in 1976 to 32% in 1986, 43% in 1996, and 46% in 2006. The figures for 22- to 24-year-olds are 17%, 18%, 24% and 26%.
Figure 13a: Percentage of Recent High School Graduates Enrolled in Postsecondary Education by Race/Ethnicity, 1973–2006
Total
White
Black
Hispanic
Total |
White |
Black |
Hispanic |
|
1976 |
49% |
49% |
45% |
54% |
1986 |
54% |
57% |
44% |
43% |
1996 |
65% |
67% |
55% |
57% |
2006 |
66% |
69% |
56% |
56% |
Note: Figures for blacks and Hispanics represent three-year moving averages because of the small sample size.
Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics 2007, Table 192.
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This graph was prepared in October 2008.
Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics 2007, Table 192.
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Download Excel for all figures.This graph was prepared in October 2008.
18-19
20-21
22-24
25-29
30-34
18-19 |
20-21 |
22-24 |
25-29 |
30-34 |
|
1976 |
36% |
31% |
17% |
10% |
6% |
1986 |
42% |
32% |
18% |
9% |
6% |
1996 |
45% |
43% |
24% |
12% |
6% |
2006 |
46% |
46% |
26% |
11% |
7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1970-2006. Download Excel for this figure.
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This graph was prepared in October 2008.
Download Excel for this figure.
Download Excel for all figures.This graph was prepared in October 2008.