Education in States and Nations: 1991

(ESN) Indicator 13: University enrollment

The size of university enrollment reflects the accessibility of university education and the extent to which individuals believe that education provides necessary training for different occupations. A high rate of university enrollment in a country suggests that university education is highly valued and widely available. In other countries, enrollment rates may be low if admission to universities is restricted or if university education is not vital to employment and success in a large number of occupations. This indicator shows the percentage of persons from certain age cohorts (18-21 years, 22-29 years, and 18-29 years) who are students enrolled full-time or part-time at public or private universities. The students may be enrolled in any type of university or four-year college (including undergraduate and graduate education).

• Among the twenty countries for which data were available in 1991, the United States and Canada recorded the highest full-time enrollment rates for 18- to 21-year-olds (22.8 and 21.6 percent, respectively). Only one other nation (Spain) reported a full-time enrollment rate higher than 20 percent.

• In 1991, the U.S. states generally showed higher full-time enrollment rates among 18- to 21-year-olds than did the other countries. Full- time enrollment rates exceeded 20 percent in 36 states, but exceeded this percentage in only 2 other countries.

• Out of all the states and countries included, only Delaware, Alaska, and Australia reported a greater number of students in the 22- to 29- year age group enrolled part-time than full-time. Unlike some of the nations included, every state showed dramatic decline in full-time university enrollment rates as students progressed into the older age group.

Table 12b

Figure 13a