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COE Indicators
Family Characteristics
- Characteristics of Children’s Families
- Family Involvement in Education-Related Activities Outside of School
- Children in Rural Areas and Their Family Characteristics
- Educational Expectations and Involvement of Parents in Rural Areas
Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education
Preprimary Education (4)
- Early Childhood Care Arrangements: Choices and Costs
- Home Literacy Activities With Young Children
- School Enrollment Rates of Young Children
- Early Childhood Care and Education Programs in Rural Areas
Elementary and Secondary Enrollment (9)
- Public School Enrollment
- Public Charter School Enrollment
- English Learners in Public Schools
- Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools
- Private School Enrollment
- Homeschooled Children and Reasons for Homeschooling
- Students With Disabilities
- Enrollment and School Choice in Rural Areas
- English Learners and Students with Disabilities in Rural Public Schools
Schools and Districts (2)
- Characteristics of Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Concentration of Public School Students Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch
School Crime and Safety
Violent Deaths (1)
- Incidence of Nonfatal Victimization at School and Away From School
- Prevalence of Criminal Victimization at School
- Threats and Injuries With Weapons on School Property
- Teachers Threatened With Injury or Physically Attacked by Students
School Environment (6)
- Criminal Incidents Recorded by Public Schools and Those Reported to Sworn Law Enforcement
- Discipline Problems Reported by Public Schools
- Students’ Reports of Gangs at School
- Students’ Reports of Hate-Related Words and Hate-Related Graffiti
- Student Bullying
- Teachers’ Reports of Disruptive Student Behaviors and Staff Rule Enforcement
Fights, Weapons, and Illegal Substances (4)
- Physical Fights on School Property and Anywhere
- Students Carrying Weapons and Students’ Access to Firearms
- Students’ Use of Alcohol
- Marijuana Use and Illegal Drug Availability
Fear and Avoidance (2)
- Students’ Perceptions of Personal Safety at School and Away From School
- Students’ Reports of Avoiding School Activities or Classes or Specific Places in School
Discipline, Safety, and Health Practices (4)
- Serious Disciplinary Actions Taken by Public Schools
- Safety and Security Practices at Public Schools
- Students’ Reports of Safety and Security Measures Observed at School
- Prevalence of Mental Health Services Provided by Public Schools and Limitations in Schools’ Efforts to Provide Mental Health Services
Technology (3)
- Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Elementary and Secondary Education System
- Children’s Internet Access at Home
- Rural Students’ Access to the Internet
Teachers and Staff (10)
- Characteristics of Public School Teachers
- Characteristics of Traditional Public, Public Charter, and Private School Teachers
- Characteristics of Public School Teachers Who Completed Alternative Route to Certification Programs
- Teacher Openings in Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Characteristics of Public and Private School Principals
- Teacher Turnover: Stayers, Movers, and Leavers
- Principal Turnover: Stayers, Movers, and Leavers
- Staff in Rural Public Elementary and Secondary School Systems
- Characteristics, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Principals in Rural Schools
- Characteristics, Credentials, and Experiences of Teachers in Rural Schools
Student Learning
Assessments (8)
- Reading Performance
- Mathematics Performance
- Science Performance
- Technology and Engineering Literacy
- Reading and Mathematics Score Trends
- International Comparisons: Reading Literacy at Grade 4
- International Comparisons: Mathematics and Science Achievement at Grades 4 and 8
- International Comparisons: Reading, Mathematics, and Science Literacy of 15-Year-Old Students
Courses and School Supports (4)
- Recovery From the Coronavirus Pandemic in K–12 Education
- High School Mathematics and Science Course Completion
- Career and Technical Education in the United States
- Career and Technical Education Programs in Rural High Schools
High School Persistence and Completion (3)
- Status Dropout Rates
- High School Graduation Rates
- Public High School Graduation Rates in Rural Areas
Finances and Governance (2)
- Public School Revenue Sources
- Public School Expenditures
Postsecondary Education
Postsecondary Students (8)
- Immediate College Enrollment Rate
- College Enrollment Rates
- Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Fall Plans for Postsecondary Education
- Undergraduate Enrollment
- Postbaccalaureate Enrollment
- Characteristics of Postsecondary Students
- College Student Employment
- Postsecondary Enrollment Status of Youth From Rural Areas
Institutions (1)
Campus Crime and Safety (2)
- Criminal Incidents at Postsecondary Institutions
- Hate Crime Incidents at Postsecondary Institutions
Faculty and Staff (1)
Completions and Graduation Rates (6)
- Postsecondary Certificates and Degrees Conferred
- Undergraduate Degree Fields
- Graduate Degree Fields
- Undergraduate Retention and Graduation Rates
- Postsecondary Outcomes for Nontraditional and Traditional Undergraduate Students
- Career and Technical Education in the United States
Finances and Resources (6)
- Price of Attending an Undergraduate Institution
- Loans for Undergraduate Students and Debt for Bachelor’s Degree Recipients
- Sources of Financial Aid
- Trends in Student Loan Debt for Graduate School Completers
- Postsecondary Institution Revenues
- Postsecondary Institution Expenses
Population Characteristics and Economic Outcomes
Population Characteristics (3)
- Educational Attainment of Young Adults
- Nondegree Work Credentials and Work Experience Programs
- Educational Attainment in Rural Areas
Economic Outcomes (5)
- Employment and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment
- Employment Outcomes of Bachelor’s Degree Holders
- Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment
- Young Adult Educational and Employment Outcomes by Family Socioeconomic Status
- Young Adults Neither Enrolled in School nor Working
International Comparisons
Assessments (3)
- International Comparisons: Reading Literacy at Grade 4
- International Comparisons: Mathematics and Science Achievement at Grades 4 and 8
- International Comparisons: Reading, Mathematics, and Science Literacy of 15-Year-Old Students
Enrollment and Attainment (2)
- Enrollment Rates by Country
- International Educational Attainment
Finances (1)
School Crime and Safety
Violent Deaths (1)
- Incidence of Nonfatal Victimization at School and Away From School
- Prevalence of Criminal Victimization at School
- Threats and Injuries With Weapons on School Property
- Teachers Threatened With Injury or Physically Attacked by Students
School Environment (6)
- Criminal Incidents Recorded by Public Schools and Those Reported to Sworn Law Enforcement
- Discipline Problems Reported by Public Schools
- Students’ Reports of Gangs at School
- Students’ Reports of Hate-Related Words and Hate-Related Graffiti
- Student Bullying
- Teachers’ Reports of Disruptive Student Behaviors and Staff Rule Enforcement
Fights, Weapons, and Illegal Substances (4)
- Physical Fights on School Property and Anywhere
- Students Carrying Weapons and Students’ Access to Firearms
- Students’ Use of Alcohol
- Marijuana Use and Illegal Drug Availability
Fear and Avoidance (2)
- Students’ Perceptions of Personal Safety at School and Away From School
- Students’ Reports of Avoiding School Activities or Classes or Specific Places in School
Discipline, Safety, and Health Practices (4)
- Serious Disciplinary Actions Taken by Public Schools
- Safety and Security Practices at Public Schools
- Students’ Reports of Safety and Security Measures Observed at School
- Prevalence of Mental Health Services Provided by Public Schools and Limitations in Schools’ Efforts to Provide Mental Health Services
Campus Crime and Safety (2)
- Criminal Incidents at Postsecondary Institutions
- Hate Crime Incidents at Postsecondary Institutions
Education Across America
Family Characteristics (3)
- Rural Students’ Access to the Internet
- Educational Expectations and Involvement of Parents in Rural Areas
- Children in Rural Areas and Their Family Characteristics
Educational Experiences (5)
- Early Childhood Care and Education Programs in Rural Areas
- English Learners and Students with Disabilities in Rural Public Schools
- Enrollment and School Choice in Rural Areas
- Career and Technical Education Programs in Rural High Schools
- College Preparatory Coursework in Rural High Schools
School Resources and Staffing (6)
- Staff in Rural Public Elementary and Secondary School Systems
- Characteristics, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Principals in Rural Schools
- Characteristics, Credentials, and Experiences of Teachers in Rural Schools
- Teachers of English Learners in Rural Public and Private Schools
- Teachers of Students With Disabilities in Rural Public and Private Schools
- Difficulty Hiring Teachers in Rural Areas
Educational Outcomes (3)
- Postsecondary Enrollment Status of Youth From Rural Areas
- Educational Attainment in Rural Areas
- Public High School Graduation Rates in Rural Areas
Spotlight
2023 Spotlights (2)
- Teacher Openings in Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Recovery From the Coronavirus Pandemic in K–12 Education
2024 Spotlights (1)
Spotlight Archive
Related sites
Condition of Education At a Glance
Reader’s Guide
Guide to Sources
Glossary
Go to the Current Population Survey (CPS) Website
Digest Tables
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Fast Facts
Family
Characteristics
Preprimary, Elementary,
and Secondary Education
Postsecondary
Education
Population Characteristics
and Economic Outcomes
International
Comparisons
School Crime
and Safety
Education Across
America
Spotlight
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sites
Postsecondary Education
College Enrollment Rates
Last Updated: May 2024
The overall college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds was lower in 2022 than a decade earlier in 2012 (39 vs. 41 percent). The rate in 2022 was higher for 18- to 24-year-olds who were Asian (61 percent) than for those who were White (41 percent), of Two or more races (36 percent), Black (36 percent), Hispanic (33 percent), Pacific Islander (27 percent), and American Indian/Alaska Native (26 percent).
The overall college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds (the age range representing the majority of students who are enrolled in college 1 ) was 39 percent in 2022. 2 In this indicator, college enrollment rate is defined as the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students in 2- or 4-year institutions. The Immediate College Enrollment Rate indicator alternatively presents data on the percentage of high school completers who enroll in 2- or 4-year institutions in the fall immediately following high school.
Select a subgroup characteristic from the drop-down menu below to view relevant text and figures.
Time series
Overall College Enrollment Rates
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Figure 1. College enrollment rates of 18- to 24-year-olds, by level of institution: 2012 through 2022
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A confidence interval is a range of values that describes the uncertainty surrounding an estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, confidence intervals are calculated as the estimate +/- the margin of error, based on a 95 percent level of confidence. This means that there is 95 percent certainty that the range includes the true or actual value of the statistic.
Confidence Interval
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NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Includes 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college or graduate school. Data are based on sample surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, which excludes persons in the military and persons living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). Figures are plotted based on unrounded data. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding in the data labels.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October Supplement, 1970 through 2022. See Digest of Education Statistics 2023, table 302.60.
The overall college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds fluctuated over the last decade but was lower in 2022 than in 2012 (39 vs. 41 percent). Looking at enrollment rates by institution level over the same period, the rate for 2-year institutions decreased from 13 to 9 percent. In contrast, the rate for 4-year institutions increased from 28 to 31 percent during this period. [Level of institution ]
College Enrollment Rates by Student Demographics
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Figure 2 College enrollment rates of 18- to 24-year-olds, by race/ethnicity: 2012 and 2022
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Users can select any combination of available years and categories in any figure format (i.e., bar or table). The initial selection of years and categories may not be optimal in different views.
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A confidence interval is a range of values that describes the uncertainty surrounding an estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, confidence intervals are calculated as the estimate +/- the margin of error, based on a 95 percent level of confidence. This means that there is 95 percent certainty that the range includes the true or actual value of the statistic.
Confidence Interval
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Users can select years at irregular intervals. However, as a result, the distance between the data points will not be proportional to the number of years between them.
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! Interpret data with caution. The coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is between 30 and 50 percent.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Includes 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college or graduate school. Data are based on sample surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, which excludes persons in the military and persons living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity. Figures are plotted based on unrounded data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October Supplement, 2012 and 2022. See Digest of Education Statistics 2023, table 302.60.
Among 18- to 24-year-olds, there was no measurable difference between college enrollment rates in 2012 and 2022 for most racial/ethnic groups. However, for those who were Hispanic, the rate was lower in 2022 than in 2012 (33 vs. 37 percent). [Race/ethnicity ]
- White (41 percent)
- Two or more races (36 percent)
- Black (36 percent)
- Hispanic (33 percent)
- Pacific Islander (27 percent)
- American Indian/Alaska Native (26 percent)
In 2022, and in most years over the prior decade, the college enrollment rate for White 18- to 24-year-olds was also higher than the rates for those who were Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native. There were no other measurable differences between racial/ethnic groups in 2022. [Race/ethnicity ]
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Figure 3. College enrollment rates of 18- to 24-year-olds, by sex and race/ethnicity: 2012 and 2022
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Users can select any combination of available years and categories in any figure format (i.e., bar or table). The initial selection of years and categories may not be optimal in different views.
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Bar | Table
A confidence interval is a range of values that describes the uncertainty surrounding an estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, confidence intervals are calculated as the estimate +/- the margin of error, based on a 95 percent level of confidence. This means that there is 95 percent certainty that the range includes the true or actual value of the statistic.
Confidence Interval
Bar | Table
Users can select years at irregular intervals. However, as a result, the distance between the data points will not be proportional to the number of years between them.
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1 Total includes other racial/ethnic groups not shown separately.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Includes 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college or graduate school. Data are based on sample surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, which excludes persons in the military and persons living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity. Figures are plotted based on unrounded data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October Supplement, 2012 and 2022. See Digest of Education Statistics 2023, table 302.60.
In every year since 2012, the college enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds overall was higher for females than for males. Looking at this pattern by race/ethnicity, the enrollment rate for females was also higher than the rate for males in each year for both White and Hispanic 18- to 24-year-olds. Among those who were Black, the rate was higher for females than for males in 6 of the last 11 years 3 and not measurably different in the remaining years. Among Asian 18- to 24-year-olds, the rate was not measurably different between females and males in any year during this period. 4 [Race/ethnicity ] [Sex or gender]
In 2022, the college enrollment rates for 18- to 24-year-old females overall (44 percent) and for females who were Asian (64 percent), White (46 percent), Black (39 percent), and Hispanic (39 percent) did not measurably differ from the rates in 2012. In contrast, the overall rate for males decreased from 38 to 34 percent over this period. For Hispanic 18- to 24-year-old males, the rate in 2022 was lower than the rate in 2012 (27 vs. 34 percent). Meanwhile, the rates in 2022 for 18- to 24-year-old males who were Asian (58 percent), White (36 percent), and Black (32 percent) did not measurably differ from the rates in 2012. The overall gap between males and females in enrollment rates in 2022 (10 percentage points) was not measurably different from the gap in 2012. [Race/ethnicity ] [Sex or gender]
1 The 18–24 age range was determined based on student enrollment at degree-granting institutions, whereas the rest of the indicator is not restricted to degree-granting institutions. For more information about fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, see Digest of Education Statistics 2023, table 303.40.
2 For general technical notes related to data analysis, data interpretation, rounding, and other considerations, please refer to the Reader’s Guide.
3 The college enrollment rate was higher for Black females than for Black males in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021.
4 This section includes analyses by race/ethnicity and sex for Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White 18- to 24-year-olds only.
