General Findings
6. Annual earnings of young adults
In 2014, the median earnings of young adults with a bachelor’s degree ($49,900) were 66 percent higher than the median earnings of young adult high school completers ($30,000). The median earnings of young adult high school completers were 20 percent higher than the median earnings of those without a high school credential ($25,000).
7. Employment and unemployment rates by educational attainment
The employment rate was higher for people with higher levels of educational attainment than for those with lower levels of educational attainment. For example, among 20- to 24-year-olds in 2015, the employment rate was 89 percent for those with a bachelor’s or higher degree and 51 percent for those who did not complete high school.
8. Undergraduate enrollment and postbaccalaureate enrollment
Total undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions increased 31 percent from 13.2 million in 2000 to 17.3 million in 2014. By 2025, total undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase to 19.8 million students. Total enrollment in postbaccalaureate degree programs was 2.9 million students in fall 2014. Between 2014 and 2025, postbaccalaureate enrollment is projected to increase by 21 percent, to 3.5 million students.
9. College participation rates
Although the college enrollment rate increased between 2004 and 2014 for Hispanic young adults (25 vs. 35 percent), it did not measurably differ between 2004 and 2014 for young adults who were White, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and of Two or more races.
10. Characteristics of degree-granting postsecondary institutions and characteristics of postsecondary students
In 2014–15, some 29 percent of 4-year institutions had open admissions policies (accepted all applicants), an additional 28 percent accepted three-quarters or more of their applicants, 30 percent accepted from one-half to less than three-quarters of their applicants, and 13 percent accepted less than one-half of their applicants. Some 10.6 million undergraduate students attended 4-year institutions in fall 2014, while 6.7 million attended 2-year institutions. Some 77 percent of undergraduate students at 4-year institutions attended full time, compared with 40 percent at 2-year institutions.
11. Undergraduate degree fields and graduate degree fields
From 2003–04 to 2013–14, the number of associate’s degrees conferred increased by 51 percent, from 665,300 to over 1 million, and the number of bachelor’s degrees conferred increased by 34 percent, from 1.4 million to 1.9 million. Between academic years 2003–04 and 2013–14, the number of master’s degrees conferred increased by 34 percent, from 564,300 to 754,500, and the number of doctor’s degrees conferred increased by 41 percent, from 126,100 to 177,600.
12. Undergraduate retention and graduation rates
About 60 percent of students who began seeking a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year institution in fall 2008 completed that degree within 6 years; the graduation rate was higher for females than males (62 percent vs. 57 percent).
13. Price of attending an undergraduate institution
The average net price of attendance (total cost minus grant and scholarship aid) for first-time, full-time students in 2013–14 (in constant 2014–15 dollars) was $12,750 at 4-year public institutions, $24,690 at 4-year private nonprofit institutions, and $21,000 at 4-year private for-profit institutions.
14. Loans for undergraduate students and sources of financial aid
The percentage of first-time, full-time undergraduate students at 4-year degree-granting postsecondary institutions receiving financial aid was higher in 2013–14 (85 percent) than in 2008–09 (82 percent). In 2013–14, the average annual student loan amount of $7,100 was 23 percent higher than the average of $5,700 in 2005–06 (in constant 2014–15 dollars). For undergraduate students ages 18 to 24 in their 4th year of college or above, the average cumulative amount borrowed was $26,400 in 2011–12.
15. Postsecondary institution revenues and postsecondary institution expenditures
Between 2008–09 and 2013–14, revenues from tuition and fees per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student increased by 17 percent at public institutions (from $5,681 to $6,639, in constant 2014–15 dollars) and by 6 percent at private nonprofit institutions (from $19,206 to $20,293). At private for-profit institutions, revenues from tuition and fees per FTE student were 34 percent higher in 2013–14 than in 2008–09 ($19,480 vs. $14,515). In 2013–14, instruction expenses per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student (in constant 2014–15 dollars) was the largest expense category at public institutions ($8,070) and private nonprofit institutions ($17,003). At private for-profit institutions, instruction expenses per FTE student was the second largest expense category ($5,266).
The NCES report also includes an At a Glance section, which allows readers to quickly make comparisons within and across indicators, and a Highlights section, which captures a key finding or set of findings from each indicator. The report contains a Reader’s Guide, Glossary, and a Guide to Data Sources that provide additional information to help place the indicators in context. In addition, each indicator references the data tables that were used to produce the indicator, most of which are in the Digest of Education Statistics.
As new data are released, the indicators will be updated on The Condition of Education website and on the Condition mobile website.
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