Measuring Up 2008 looks at higher education in the U.S, finding that “the likelihood that a high school freshman will enroll in college by age 19 has improved modestly in this decade, from 39% to 42%.” More high school students are taking college-prep courses, but college completion rates remain low.
The United States’ world leadership in college access has eroded steadily, as reflected in the international comparisons of the proportion of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college. In college completion, which has never been a strength of American higher education, the U.S. ranks 15th among 29 countries compared.
. . . For high school graduates, 73% of whites, 56% of blacks, and 58% of Hispanics enroll in college the next fall.
. . . 59% of white students complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of enrolling in college. In contrast, 47% of Hispanic students, 41% of African Americans, and 39% of Native American students complete a bachelor’s degree within six years.
The study also looks at college affordability, flunking all the states except for California, which has a cheap community college system. I’m dubious about the percentage of family income required to attend community college. Low-income students usually live at home and qualify for financial aid.
Here’s more on affordability.
About Joanne
California also has calgrants that help pay for most of college expenses! The minimum wage here is more than most other states and that helps too.