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Annual Reports and Information Staff (Annual Reports)

The Condition of Education 2023 At a Glance

More information is available at nces.ed.gov/programs/coe.

Family Characteristics

Change between years
Highest level of education attained by parents of children under age 18
Percentage of children living in households in which no parent had completed high school
9.0% 8.3%
Percentage of children living in households in which at least one parent had attained a bachelor's or higher degree
42.6% 45.0%
Percentage of children under age 18 living with related female householders (no spouse present) 26.2% 25.8%
Percentage of children under age 18 in families living in poverty 16.3% 16.7%
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Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education

Change between years
Percentage of 3- to 5-year-olds enrolled in school in October
3- to 4-year-olds
40% 50%
5-year-olds
84% 86%
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Number of students enrolled in public schools 49.37 million 49.43 million

Prekindergarten through grade 8

34.06 million 34.00 million

Grades 9 through 12

15.31 million 15.44 million
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Change between years
Number of students enrolled in public charter schools 3.68 million 3.67 million
Percentage of public school students enrolled in charter schools 7.50% 7.49%
Number of public charter schools 7,600 7,800
Percentage of public schools that are charter schools 7.75% 7.91%
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Change between years
Percentage of public school students who were English learners 10.4% 10.3%
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Change between years
Percentage of public school students
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.93% 0.92%
Asian
5.43% 5.39%

Black

15.00% 14.94%
Hispanic
28.05% 28.43%

Pacific Islander1

0.37% 0.37%
White
45.72% 45.22%
Two or more races
4.49% 4.72%
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Change between years
Number of students enrolled in private schools 4.9 million 4.7 million
Percentage of all students enrolled in private schools 9.1% 8.6%
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Change between years
Number of students ages 3–21 receiving special education services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (in thousands) 7,183 7,259
Students ages 3–21 receiving special education services, as a percentage of public school students2 14.5% 14.7%
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Change between years
Number of school shootings3 146 327

With deaths

43 57

With injuries only

50 131

With no casualties

53 139
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Change between years
Percentage of Public Schools
Recording incidents of crime5 at school
80% 77% 2019-204  
Reporting incidents of crime5 at school to sworn law enforcement
47% 47% 2019-204  
Rate of crime incidents5 at school per 1,000 students
Recorded by public schools
29 29 2019-204  
Reported to sworn law enforcement by public schools
9 10 2019-204
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Percentage of public schools reporting selected safety and security practices
A written plan for procedures to be performed in the event of a pandemic disease
46% 52% 2019-204
A written plan for procedures to be performed in the event of an active shooter
92% 96% 2019-204
One or more security staff6 present at least once a week
61% 65% 2019-204  
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Percentage of 3- to 18-year-olds who had home internet access 95% 97%
Percentage of 3- to 18-year-olds who had home internet access through a computer 88% 93%
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Change between years
Total number of public school teachers 3.5 million 3.8 million

At the elementary instructional level

1.8 million 1.9 million

At the secondary instructional level

1.8 million 1.9 million
Percentage of public school teachers

Who are female

76.5% 76.8%

Who are male

23.5% 23.2%

Who held a postbaccalaureate degree

58.0% 61.0%

Who held a regular teaching certificate

90.4% 89.8%
Annual base salary of public school teachers7 $65,900 $66,000
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Percentage of students who scored at or above NAEP Proficient8

4th-grade students

35% 33%

8th-grade students

34% 31%

12th-grade students

37% 2015 37% 2019
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Percentage of students who scored at or above NAEP Proficient8

4th-grade students

41% 36%

8th-grade students

34% 26%

12th-grade students

25%2015 24%2019
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Percentage of students who scored at or above NAEP Proficient8

4th-grade students

38% 36%

8th-grade students

34% 35%

12th-grade students

22% 22%
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Percentage of high school graduates who had completed a course

Algebra II9

80% 85%

Males

77% 83%

Females

82% 87%

Calculus

18% 16%

Males

19% 16%

Females

18% 16%

Biology, Chemistry, and Physics10

30% 35%

Males

31% 36%

Females

28% 33%
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Change between years
Percentage of 16- to 24-year-olds not enrolled in school who have not completed high school 5.1% 5.2%  

Male

6.0% 6.1%  

Female

4.2% 4.2%  

American Indian/ Alaska Native

9.6% 10.2%  

Asian

1.8% 2.1%  

Black

5.6% 5.9%  

Hispanic

7.7% 7.8%  

Pacific Islander

8.0% 7.6%  

White

4.1% 4.1%  

Two or more races

5.1% 4.9%  
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR)11 86% 87%
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Change between years
Total $858 billion $871 billion

Federal

$67 billion $66 billion

State

$404 billion $414 billion

Local

$387 billion $391 billion
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Change between years
Total expenditures $856 billion $870 billion
Total expenditures per pupil (in fall enrollment) $16,743 $17,013
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Postsecondary Education

Change between years
Immediate college enrollment rate of high school completers 63% 62%  

2-year institutions

20% 19%

4-year institutions

43% 43%
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Total enrollment 15.9 million 15.4 million

Full-time enrollment

9.8 million 9.5 million

Part-time enrollment

6.0 million 5.9 million
Percentage enrolled in any distance education course 75% 61%

Percentage enrolled exclusively in distance education

44% 28%
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Change between years
Total enrollment 3.143 million 3.211 million

Full-time enrollment

1.766 million 1.831 million

Part-time enrollment

1.377 million 1.381 million
Percentage enrolled in any distance education course 71% 56%

Percentage enrolled exclusively in distance education

52% 40%
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Change between years
Total number of degree-granting institutions with first-year undergraduates 3,567 3,542

Number of 4-year institutions with first-year undergraduates

2,278 2,267

Number of 2-year institutions with first-year undergraduates

1,289 1,275
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Change between years
Number of on-campus crimes at degree-granting postsecondary institutions13 27,190 21,240

Burglary14

8,920 6,840

Motor vehicle theft15

3,060 2,490

Forcible sex offense16

11,710 9,370
Number of on-campus crimes per 10,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students at degree-granting postsecondary institutions13 18.8 15.0

Burglary14

6.2 4.8

Motor vehicle theft15

2.1 1.8

Forcible sex offense16

8.1 6.6
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Change between years
Number of full-time instructional faculty 836,600 837,100
Number of part-time instructional faculty 652,900 662,100
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Change between years
Number of degrees/certificates conferred by postsecondary institutions

Certificates17

966,600 991,400

Associate’s degrees

1,019,000 1,036,400

Bachelor’s degrees

2,038,700 2,066,400

Master’s degrees

843,500 866,900

Doctor’s degrees18

190,100 194,100
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Change between years
Number of bachelor’s degrees conferred (top three bachelor’s programs)

Business19

387,900 391,400

Health professions and related programs

257,300 268,000

Social sciences and history

161,200 160,800
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Change between years
Number of master’s degrees conferred (top three master’s programs)

Business20

197,400 202,300

Education

147,000 153,800

Health professions and related programs

135,300 142,000
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Change between years
8-year completion rate21 for 4-year institutions by entry cohort

First-time, full-time students

58.8% 60.3%

First-time, part-time students

19.2% 20.5%

Non-first-time, full-time students

58.3% 59.8%

Non-first-time, part-time students

34.3% 35.2%
8-year completion rate21 for 2-year institutions by entry cohort

First-time, full-time students

36.1% 37.2%

First-time, part-time students

18.9% 19.3%

Non-first-time, full-time students

43.0% 44.7%

Non-first-time, part-time students

24.2% 24.4%
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Change between years
Average net price at 4-year institutions for first-time, full-time undergraduate students

Public, in-state or in-district22

$15,180 $14,710

Private nonprofit

$30,090 $28,420

Private for-profit

$24,610 $24,600
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Change between years
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid at 4-year institutions 86.69% 86.73%
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid at 2-year institutions 82.13% 81.95%
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Change between years
Revenue from tuition and fees per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student

Public institutions

$8,740 $8,720

Private nonprofit institutions

$24,870 $23,990

Private for-profit institutions

$18,900 $18,080
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Change between years
Instruction expenses per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student

Public institutions

$12,080 $12,090

Private nonprofit institutions

$20,960 $19,950

Private for-profit institutions

$5,100 $4,730
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Population Characteristics and Economic Outcomes

Change between years
Percentage of 25- to 29-year-olds with selected levels of educational attainment

At least high school completion23

94% 95%  

Associate's or higher degree

49% 49%

Bachelor's or higher degree

39% 40%

Master's or higher degree

9% 10%
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Employment rates of 25- to 34-year-olds

Total

76% 80%

Who had not completed high school

53% 61%

Who completed high school as highest level

68% 73%

Who attained a bachelor's or higher degree

86% 87%
Unemployment rates of 25- to 34-year-olds

Total

7% 4%

Who had not completed high school

11% 10%

Who completed high school as highest level

10% 7%

Who attained a bachelor’s or higher degree

4% 2%
Blank = not measurably different
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Change between years
Median annual earnings for 25- to 34-year-olds24

Total

$52,300 $50,000

Who completed less than high school

$31,200 $32,500

Who completed high school as highest level25

$38,300 $39,700

Who completed some college, but did not attain a degree

$41,700 $41,000

Who attained an associate’s degree

$46,200 $45,000

Who attained a bachelor’s or higher degree

$64,000 $65,000

Who attained a bachelor’s degree

$62,500 $61,600

Who attained a master’s or higher degree

$73,000 $74,600
Blank = not measurably different
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International Comparisons

U.S. average score in comparison with TIMSS scale centerpoint
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Mathematics scores of 4th-grade students

535 500

Mathematics scores of 8th-grade students

515 500

Science scores of 4th-grade students

539 500

Science scores of 8th-grade students

522 500
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Change between years
Percentage of the population 25 to 34 years old who had completed high school as of the reporting year

United States

94.0% 93.7%

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries

86.0% 85.8%
Percentage of the population 25 to 34 years old who had attained a postsecondary degree as of the reporting year

United States

51.9% 51.2%

OECD countries

45.9% 47.1%
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  • Blank= Not measurably different
  • 1 Although the percentages for Pacific Islander students rounded to 0.37 percent for both years, the percentage was higher for fall 2021 than for fall 2020 (0.3672 vs. 0.3666 percent).
  • 2 The number of children served as a percentage of total enrollment is based on total public school enrollment in prekindergarten through grade 12. However, not all students served under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) receive education services in public school environments.
  • 3 "School shootings" include all incidents in which a gun is brandished or fired on school property or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims (including zero), time, day of the week, or reason (e.g., planned attack, accidental, domestic violence, gang-related). Data are from the K–12 School Shooting Database, which relies on open-source data, such as media reporting. As a result, the completeness of these data is subject to the completeness of these public sources, which may vary over time or by type of incident. The numbers of school shootings in 2021–22 are outliers (more than double the previous peak from just the year before), and users should interpret these data with caution. Deaths and injuries include both shooters and victims.
  • 4 The coronavirus pandemic affected the 2019–20 data collection activities. The change to virtual schooling and the adjusted school year may have impacted the data collected by the School Survey on Crime and Safety. Readers should use caution when comparing 2019–20 estimates with those from earlier years. For more information, see Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools in 2019–20: Findings From the School Survey on Crime and Safety (NCES 2022-029).
  • 5 Incidents of crime include violent incidents, thefts of items valued at $10 or greater without personal confrontation, and other criminal incidents. “Violent incidents” include rape or attempted rape; sexual assault other than rape; physical attacks or fights with or without a weapon; threat of physical attacks with or without a weapon; and robbery with or without a weapon. “Other incidents” include possession of a firearm or explosive device; possession of a knife or sharp object; distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs or alcohol; inappropriate distribution, possession, or use of prescription drugs; and vandalism.
  • 6 Security staff include security officers, security personnel, School Resource Officers (SROs), and sworn law enforcement officers who are not SROs. "Security officers" and "security personnel" do not include law enforcement. SROs include all career law enforcement officers with arrest authority who have specialized training and are assigned to work in collaboration with school organizations.
  • 7 Data are reported in constant 2021–22 dollars, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and adjusted to a school-year basis.
  • 8 NAEP Proficient demonstrates solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter.
  • 9 Includes courses that taught both algebra II and trigonometry.
  • 10 Indicates graduate earned credits in all three subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • 11 The adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) is the percentage of public school 9th-graders who graduate with a regular diploma, or a state-defined alternate high school diploma for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, within 4 years of starting 9th grade. Students who are entering 9th grade for the first time form a cohort for the graduating class. This cohort is "adjusted" by adding any students who subsequently transfer into the cohort and subtracting any students who subsequently transfer out, emigrate to another country, or die. In 2019–20, some states may have changed their requirements for a regular high school diploma to account for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. These changes are at the discretion of each state but may have resulted in less comparability in the ACGRs between 2019–20 and prior school years.
  • 12 Caution should be used when comparing on-campus data for 2020 with those of earlier years due to the switch to online learning in many postsecondary institutions in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • 13 Includes other reported crimes not separately shown.
  • 14 Unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft.
  • 15 Theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
  • 16 Any sexual act directed against another person forcibly and/or against that person's will.
  • 17 Data are for certificates below the associate's degree level.
  • 18 Includes Ph.D., Ed.D., and comparable degrees at the doctoral level. Includes most degrees formerly classified as first-professional, such as M.D., D.D.S., and law degrees.
  • 19 "Business" is defined as business, management, marketing, and related support services, as well as culinary, entertainment, and personal services.
  • 20 In order to be consistent with the definition of "business" for bachelor's degree data, "business” is defined as business, management, marketing, and related support services, as well as culinary, entertainment, and personal services.
  • 21 Awards include certificates, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees. Includes only those awards that were conferred by the reporting institution (i.e., the institution that the student entered in the particular entry year); excludes awards conferred by institutions to which the student later transferred.
  • 22 The average net price at public 4-year institutions uses the lower of in-district or in-state average net price.
  • 23 High school completion includes those who graduated from high school with a diploma as well as those who completed high school through equivalency programs, such as a GED program.
  • 24 Data are reported in constant 2021 dollars, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
  • 25 Includes equivalency credentials, such as the GED.
  • NOTE: Includes selected indicators only. All calculations within the At a Glance are based on unrounded numbers. Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • SOURCE: The Condition of Education 2023.