From academic years 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the number of postsecondary degrees conferred by private for-profit institutions increased by a larger percentage than the number conferred by public institutions and private nonprofit institutions; this was true for all levels of degrees.
Between academic years 1999–2000 and 2009–10, the number of postsecondary degrees conferred by public, private for-profit, and private nonprofit institutions increased for each level of degree. The number of associate's degrees awarded increased by 50 percent, bachelor's degrees increased by 33 percent, master's degrees increased by 50 percent, and doctor's degrees increased by 34 percent. For all postsecondary degree levels, the percentage increases from 1999–2000 to 2009–10 were smaller for public and private nonprofit institutions than for private for-profit institutions.
The number of associate's degrees awarded from academic years 1999–2000 to 2009–10 increased by 43 percent for public institutions (from 448,400 to 640,100 degrees), by 1 percent for private nonprofit institutions (from 46,300 to 46,700 degrees), and by 132 percent for private for-profit institutions (from 70,200 to 162,700 degrees). Due to these changes, the share of all associate's degrees conferred by private for-profit institutions increased from 12 percent in 1999–2000 to 19 percent in 2009–10, while the share conferred by public and private nonprofit institutions decreased during this period (from 79 to 75 percent and from 8 to 5 percent, respectively) (see table A-46-1).
From academic years 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the number of bachelor's degrees awarded by public institutions increased by 29 percent (from 810,900 to 1,049,100 degrees), the number awarded by private nonprofit institutions increased by 24 percent (from 407,000 to 503,200 degrees), and the number awarded by private for-profit institutions increased by 387 percent (from 20,100 to 97,800 degrees). Despite the gain made by private for-profit institutions, they awarded 6 percent of all bachelor's degrees conferred in 2009–10, while public institutions awarded 64 percent and private nonprofit institutions awarded 30 percent.
The number of master's degrees awarded by private nonprofit institutions increased 43 percent (from 209,700 to 299,900 degrees) from academic years 1999–2000 to 2009–10, yet the percentage of all master's degrees conferred by these institutions declined from 45 to 43 percent. The number of master's degrees conferred by public institutions increased at a lower rate (33 percent, from 243,200 to 322,200 degrees) over the same time period, resulting in a decrease in their share of all master's degrees (from 52 to 46 percent). In contrast, the number of master's degrees conferred by private for-profit institutions increased by 588 percent (from 10,300 to 70,900 degrees) from 1999–2000 to 2009–10, resulting in an increase in their share of total master's degrees conferred. Private for-profit institutions conferred 2 percent of all master's degrees in 1999–2000 and 10 percent in 2009–10.
From academic years 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the number of doctor's degrees conferred increased by 30 percent at public institutions (from 60,700 to 78,800 degrees), by 32 percent at private nonprofit institutions (from 57,000 to 75,200 degrees), and by over 300 percent at private for-profit institutions (from 1,100 to 4,600 degrees). In 2009–10, public institutions awarded 50 percent of all doctor's degrees, private nonprofit institutions awarded 47 percent, and private for-profit institutions awarded 3 percent.
Technical Notes
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