In 2011, some 32 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds had completed a bachelor's degree or higher. From 1980 to 2011, the gap in the attainment of a bachelor's degree or higher between Whites and Hispanics widened from 17 to 26 percentage points, and the gap between Whites and Blacks widened from 13 to 19 percentage points.
For the purpose of this indicator, educational attainment represents the percentage of 25- to 29-year-olds who achieved at least the cited credential (i.e., a high school diploma or equivalency, some college, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree). Between 1980 and 2011, educational attainment among 25- to 29-year-olds increased: the percentage who had received at least a high school diploma or equivalency increased from 85 to 89 percent, and the percentage who had completed a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 22 to 32 percent. In 2011, some 7 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds had completed a master's degree or higher, a 2-percentage-point increase from 1995 (see table A-48-1).
Between 1980 and 2011, the attainment rate of at least a high school diploma or equivalency increased for Whites (from 89 to 94 percent), Blacks (from 77 to 88 percent), and Hispanics (from 58 to 71 percent). Between 1990 (when educational attainment data were first available for Asians/Pacific Islanders) and 2011, the completion rate for at least high school or equivalency for Asians/Pacific Islanders increased from 90 to 95 percent. In both 1980 and 2011, the percentage of Whites who had completed at least high school or equivalency was higher than that of Blacks and Hispanics; however, the gaps between Whites and Blacks and Whites and Hispanics narrowed over the years. Between 1980 and 2011, the gap between Blacks and Whites decreased from 12 to 6 percentage points, and the gap between Hispanics and Whites decreased from 31 to 23 percentage points.
From 1980 to 2011, the percentage of 25- to 29-year-olds who had attained a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 25 to 39 percent for Whites, from 12 to 20 percent for Blacks, and from 8 to 13 percent for Hispanics. For Asians/Pacific Islanders, the attainment rate of at least a bachelor's degree in 2011 (56 percent) was higher than the rate in 1990 (42 percent). Between 1980 and 2011, the gap in the attainment of a bachelor's degree or higher between Blacks and Whites increased from 13 to 19 percentage points, and the gap between Whites and Hispanics increased from 17 to 26 percentage points.
In 2011, some 7 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds had completed at least a master's degree. From 1995 to 2011, the attainment rate of a master's degree or higher increased for Whites (from 5 to 8 percent), Blacks (from 2 to 4 percent), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (from 11 to 17 percent). In 2011, the percentage of Asians/Pacific Islanders who had attained at least a master's degree in 2011 (17 percent) was higher than that of their peers of any other race/ethnicity: 8 percent of Whites, 4 percent of Blacks, and 3 percent of Hispanics. Between 1995 and 2011, the gap in the attainment of a master's degree or higher between Blacks and Whites was not measurably different, while the gap between Whites and Hispanics increased from 4 to 5 percentage points.
Differences in educational attainment by gender have shifted over the past few decades, with female attainment now greater than male attainment at each education level. For example, in 1980, the percentages of males (85 percent) and females (86 percent) who had completed at least high school or equivalency were not measurably different, but in 2011, the percentage of females (91 percent) was higher than the percentage of males (87 percent) by 3 percentage points. The percentage of females (21 percent) who had attained at least a bachelor's degree was 3 points lower than the percentage of males (24 percent) in 1980, but in 2011 the percentage of females (36 percent) was 8 points higher than the percentage of males (28 percent).
Technical Notes
This indicator uses March Current Population Survey (CPS) data to estimate the percentage of civilian, noninstitutionalized people ages 25 through 29 who are out of high school. In 1992, the CPS question on educational attainment was revised. Prior to 1992, a high school diploma meant completing 12 years of schooling; some college meant completing 1 or more years of college (“some college” may have included students who earned an associate's degree); a bachelor's degree meant completing 4 years of college; and data on attainment of a master's degree were not available. From 1992 onward, a high school diploma means a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; some college means completing any college at all; and a bachelor's degree means earning a bachelor's degree. Included in the totals, but not shown separately, are estimates for persons from other racial/ethnic groups. Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity. For more information on race/ethnicity and educational attainment, see Appendix C – Commonly Used Measures. For more information on the CPS, see Appendix B – Guide to Sources. Some estimates are revised from previous publications.
Click figure to enlarge
