Enrollment Decisions of American Youth: Which 18- to 21-Year-Olds Are Attending College?

Higher education benefits individuals through increased earnings and expanded employment opportunities, as well as promoting individual achievement. College has been a path for many students immediately after completing high school. However, many Americans are deciding to forgo this option for some period of time. This report contains information about the proportion of American youth choosing to attend college during this traditional time frame, while they are 18 to 21 years old. Enrollment of American Youth What decisions do 18- and 19-year-olds make about their education? Current population survey data show enrollment decisions of the nation's youth. In October 2000, 16 percent of 18- and 19-year-olds were still enrolled in secondary schools, while 45 percent were enrolled in college.1 For those not enrolled, 13 percent of the total had dropped out of high school while 26 percent had graduated from high school, but did not continue on to college. Are the education decisions of 20- and 21-year-olds different from their younger counterparts? Fewer 20- and 21-year-olds were enrolled, either in secondary school or college, than their younger counterparts in October 2000. Only 2 percent of 20-- and 21-year-olds were still in secondary schools while 42 percent of 20-and 21-year-olds were enrolled in college in October 2000. A similar proportion of 20- and 21-year-olds (13 percent) had dropped out of high school as compared to 18- and 19-year-olds, and more had graduated from high school but were not enrolled in college (43 percent). It is not known from the data whether any of these individuals had earned an advanced degree or certificate before discontinuing their enrollment. (See Figure 1.) Differences in Enrollment, by Gender Men and women made different education choices during 2000. Considering only 18- to 21-year-olds, a smaller proportion of women were still enrolled in secondary schools, and a higher proportion of women were enrolled in college. Almost half of 18- to 21-year-old women attended college in October 2000 and only 39 percent of 18- to 21-year-old men attended college. Likewise, a smaller proportion of women than men had dropped out of high school (11 percent compared to 14 percent), and a smaller proportion of women who had completed high school were not enrolled in college (32 percent compared to 36 percent). Note that data only show which individuals are currently enrolled. Some individuals, especially older ones, may have already earned a postsecondary degree or certificate. (See Figure 2 on the following page.) Differences in Enrollment, by Race/Ethnicity Considering differences in education participation by race/ ethnicity, Asian 18- to 21-year-olds are more likely to be enrolled in college than 18- to 21-year-olds of any other race/ethnicity. Almost 65 percent of Asian 18- to 21-year-olds were enrolled in college in October 2000. Almost half of White 18- to 21-year-- olds attended college, while only one-third of Black 18- to 21-- year-olds and one-fourth of Hispanic 18- to 21-year-olds were enrolled in college during October 2000. Likewise, Asians were least likely to drop out of high school. Less than 5 percent of Asian 18- to 21-year-olds had dropped out of high school and were not currently enrolled. Much higher percentages of White, Black, and Hispanic 18- to 21-- year-olds had left high school without graduating and were not enrolled in October 2000-9 percent, 16 percent, and 30 percent, respectively. These data are consistent with a longitudinal survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and reported in Factors Related to College Enrollment (Akerhielm et. al 1998). Starting in Spring 1988, a group of eighth graders was followed for several years. By 1994, 63 percent attended some type of postsecondary institution. When examined by race/ethnicity, Asian students were most likely to attend college, while Black and Hispanic students were least likely to attend. …