
Indicators
Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education
Postsecondary Education
Population Characteristics and Economic Outcomes
International Comparisons
The Condition of Education At a Glance
Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Characteristics of Children’s Families ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | Change between years |
|
Highest level of education attained by parents of children under age 18 | ||||
Percentage whose parents' highest level of education was less than high school | 10.5% | 10.4% | ||
Percentage whose parents' highest level of education was a bachelor's or higher degree | 39.0% | 39.7% | ▲ | |
Percentage of children under age 18 living in mother-only households | 27.0% | 26.7% | ▼ | |
Percentage of children under age 18 in families living in poverty | 20.3% | 19.1% | ▼ | |
Children's Access to and Use of the Internet ![]() |
2013 | 2015 | ||
Percentage of children ages 3 to 18 who use the Internet from home | ||||
3- and 4-year-olds | 31% | 39% | ▲ | |
5- to 10-year-olds | 50% | 54% | ▲ | |
11- to 14-year-olds | 65% | 65% | ||
15- to 18-year-olds | 77% | 76% | ||
Preschool and Kindergarten Enrollment ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | ||
Percentage of children enrolled in preprimary education | ||||
3-year-olds | 38% | 42% | ||
4-year-olds | 67% | 66% | ||
5-year-olds | 87% | 86% | ||
Elementary and Secondary Enrollment ![]() |
Fall 2014 | Fall 2015 | ||
Number of students enrolled in public schools | 50.31 million | 50.44 million | ▲ | |
Prekindergarten through 8th grade | 35.37 million | 35.39 million | ▲ | |
9th through 12th grade | 14.94 million | 15.05 million | ▲ | |
Public Charter School Enrollment ![]() |
Fall 2014 | Fall 2015 | ||
Number of students enrolled in public charter schools | 2.7 million | 2.8 million | ▲ | |
Percentage of public school students enrolled in charter schools | 5.4% | 5.7% | ▲ | |
Number of public charter schools | 6,750 | 6,860 | ▲ | |
Percentage of public schools that are charter schools | 6.9% | 7.0% | ▲ | |
Private School Enrollment ![]() |
Fall 2013 | Fall 2015 | ||
Total number of students enrolled in private schools (prekindergarten through 12th grade) | 5.4 million | 5.8 million | ▲ | |
Prekindergarten through 8th grade | 4.1 million | 4.3 million | ▲ | |
9th through 12th grade | 1.3 million | 1.4 million | ▲ | |
Percentage of all students enrolled in private schools (prekindergarten through 12th grade) | 9.7% | 10.2% | ▲ | |
English Language Learners in Public Schools ![]() |
Fall 2014 | Fall 2015 | ||
Percentage of public school students who are English language learners | 9.3% | 9.5% | ▲ | |
Children and Youth With Disabilities ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Number of public school students ages 3–21 receiving special education services | 6.6 million | 6.7 million | ▲ | |
Percentage of public school students ages 3–21 receiving special education services | 13.0% | 13.2% | ▲ | |
Characteristics of Traditional Public Schools and Public Charter Schools ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Traditional public schools | ||||
Total number of traditional public schools | 91,430 | 91,420 | ▼ | |
Percentage of traditional public schools | ||||
With more than 50% White enrollment | 59.0% | 58.2% | ▼ | |
With more than 50% Black enrollment | 9.0% | 8.9% | ▼ | |
With more than 50% Hispanic enrollment | 15.7% | 16.0% | ▲ | |
Public charter schools | ||||
Total number of public charter schools | 6,750 | 6,860 | ▲ | |
Percentage of public charter schools | ||||
With more than 50% White enrollment | 35.7% | 34.4% | ▼ | |
With more than 50% Black enrollment | 23.6% | 23.4% | ▼ | |
With more than 50% Hispanic enrollment | 23.9% | 25.2% | ▲ | |
Concentration of Public School Students Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Percentage of students attending public low-poverty schools1 | 20.4% | 19.7% | ▼ | |
Percentage of students attending public high-poverty schools1 | 24.3% | 24.4% | ▲ | |
School Crime and Safety ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | ||
Nonfatal victimization rate per 1,000 students | ||||
Victimization occurred at school | 33 | 29 | ||
Victimization occurred away from school | 21 | 24 | ||
Characteristics of Public School Teachers ![]() |
1999–2000 | 2015–16 | ||
Total number of public school teachers | 3.0 million | 3.8 million | ▲ | |
In elementary schools | 1.6 million | 1.9 million | ▲ | |
In secondary schools | 1.4 million | 1.9 million | ▲ | |
Percentage of public school teachers | ||||
Who are female | 75% | 77% | ▲ | |
Who are male | 25% | 23% | ▼ | |
Who held a postbaccalaureate degree | 47% | 57% | ▲ | |
Who held a regular teaching certificate | 87% | 90% | ▲ | |
2011–12 | 2015–16 | |||
Annual base salary of public school teachers2 | $56,590 | $56,140 | ||
Reading Performance ![]() |
2015 | 2017 | ||
Percentage of students who scored at or above Proficient3 | ||||
4th-grade students | 36% | 37% | ||
8th-grade students | 34% | 36% | ▲ | |
2013 | 2015 | |||
12th-grade students | 38% | 37% | ||
Mathematics Performance ![]() |
2015 | 2017 | ||
Percentage of students who scored at or above Proficient3 | ||||
4th-grade students | 40% | 40% | ||
8th-grade students | 33% | 34% | ||
2013 | 2015 | |||
12th-grade students | 26% | 25% | ||
Science Performance ![]() |
2009 | 2015 | ||
Percentage of students who scored at or above Proficient3 | ||||
4th-grade students | 34% | 38% | ▲ | |
12th-grade students | 21% | 22% | ||
2011 | 2015 | |||
8th-grade students | 32% | 34% | ||
Public High School Graduation Rates ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR)4 | 83% | 84% | ▲ | |
Status Dropout Rates | 2015 | 2016 | ||
Percentage of 16- to 24-year-olds not enrolled in school who have not completed high school | 5.9% | 6.1% | ||
Public School Revenue Sources2 ![]() |
2013–14 | 2014–15 | ||
Total revenues | $644.1 billion | $664.0 billion | ▲ | |
Federal sources | $56.3 billion | $56.4 billion | ▲ | |
State sources | $298.1 billion | $309.1 billion | ▲ | |
Local sources | $289.7 billion | $298.5 billion | ▲ | |
Public School Expenditures2 ![]() |
2013–14 | 2014–15 | ||
Total expenditures | $645 billion | $668 billion | ▲ | |
Current expenditures per student | $11,429 | $11,734 | ▲ | |
Postsecondary Education | ||||
Immediate College Enrollment Rate ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | Change between years |
|
Percentage of recent high school graduates enrolled in college | 69% | 70% | ||
2-year institutions | 25% | 24% | ||
4-year institutions | 44% | 46% | ||
College Enrollment Rates ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | ||
College participation rates for 18- to 24-year-olds | ||||
Total, all students | 40% | 41% | ||
Male | 38% | 39% | ||
Female | 43% | 44% | ||
White | 42% | 42% | ||
Black | 35% | 36% | ||
Hispanic | 37% | 39% | ||
Asian | 63% | 58% | ||
Pacific Islander | 24% | 21% | ||
American Indian/Alaska Native | 23% | 19% | ||
Two or more races | 38% | 42% | ||
Undergraduate Enrollment ![]() |
Fall 2015 | Fall 2016 | ||
Total enrollment | 17.0 million | 16.9 million | ▼ | |
Full-time enrollment | 10.6 million | 10.4 million | ▼ | |
Part-time enrollment | 6.4 million | 6.4 million | ▼ | 5 |
Percentage enrolled in any distance education course | 29% | 31% | ▲ | |
Percentage enrolled exclusively in distance education | 12% | 13% | ▲ | |
Postbaccalaureate Enrollment ![]() |
Fall 2015 | Fall 2016 | ||
Total enrollment | 2.9 million | 3.0 million | ▲ | |
Full-time enrollment | 1.7 million | 1.7 million | ▲ | 5 |
Part-time enrollment | 1.3 million | 1.3 million | ▲ | 5 |
Percentage enrolled in any distance education course | 34% | 37% | ▲ | |
Percentage enrolled exclusively in distance education | 26% | 28% | ▲ | |
Characteristics of Postsecondary Students ![]() |
2015–16 | 2016–17 | ||
Total enrollment | 20.0 million | 19.8 million | ▼ | |
Undergraduate enrollment | 17.0 million | 16.9 million | ▼ | |
White | 9.3 million | 9.1 million | ▼ | |
Black | 2.3 million | 2.2 million | ▼ | |
Hispanic | 3.0 million | 3.2 million | ▲ | |
Asian | 1.0 million | 1.1 million | ▲ | |
Pacific Islander | 49,500 | 47,100 | ▼ | |
American Indian/Alaska Native | 132,300 | 128,600 | ▼ | |
Two or more races | 592,200 | 595,700 | ▲ | |
Nonresident alien | 565,800 | 570,300 | ▲ | |
Postbaccalaureate enrollment | 2.9 million | 3.0 million | ▲ | |
White | 1.6 million | 1.6 million | ▼ | |
Black | 364,300 | 362,900 | ▼ | |
Hispanic | 242,600 | 259,600 | ▲ | |
Asian | 194,400 | 200,200 | ▲ | |
Pacific Islander | 6,000 | 6,100 | ▲ | |
American Indian/Alaska Native | 13,900 | 13,700 | ▼ | |
Two or more races | 67,400 | 70,700 | ▲ | |
Nonresident alien | 417,300 | 427,800 | ▲ | |
Characteristics of Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions ![]() |
2015-16 | 2016-17 | ||
Total number of degree-granting institutions with first-year undergraduates | 4,147 | 3,895 | ▼ | |
Number of 4-year institutions with first-year undergraduates | 2,584 | 2,395 | ▼ | |
Number of 2-year institutions with first-year undergraduates | 1,563 | 1,500 | ▼ | |
Characteristics of Postsecondary Faculty ![]() |
Fall 2015 | Fall 2016 | ||
Number of full-time instructional faculty6 | 807,000 | 816,000 | ▲ | |
Number of part-time instructional faculty | 745,000 | 733,000 | ▼ | |
Undergraduate Degree Fields ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Number of bachelor's degrees awarded | ||||
Business | 364,000 | 372,000 | ▲ | |
Health professions and related programs | 216,000 | 229,000 | ▲ | |
Social sciences and history | 167,000 | 161,000 | ▼ | |
Graduate Degree Fields ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Number of master's degrees awarded | ||||
Business | 185,000 | 187,000 | ▲ | |
Education | 147,000 | 146,000 | ▼ | |
Health professions and related programs | 103,000 | 110,000 | ▲ | |
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation Rates ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
4-year institutions | ||||
Retention rate of first-time undergraduates | 80.7% | 80.8% | ▲ | |
Graduation rate (within 6 years of starting program) of first-time, full-time undergraduates | 59.4% | 59.8% | ▲ | |
2-year institutions | ||||
Retention rate of first-time undergraduates | 61.3% | 62.3% | ▲ | |
Graduation rate (within 3 years of starting program) of first-time, full-time undergraduates | 29.0% | 30.3% | ▲ | |
Postsecondary Certificates and Degrees Conferred ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015-16 | ||
Number of degrees/certificates conferred by postsecondary institutions | ||||
Certificates below associate's degrees | 961,000 | 939,000 | ▼ | |
Associate's degrees | 1,014,000 | 1,008,000 | ▼ | |
Bachelor's degrees | 1,895,000 | 1,921,000 | ▲ | |
Master's degrees | 759,000 | 786,000 | ▲ | |
Doctor's degrees | 179,000 | 178,000 | ▼ | |
Price of Attending an Undergraduate Institution2 ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Average net price at 4-year institutions for first-time, full-time undergraduate students | ||||
Public, in-state or in-district7 | $13,300 | $13,500 | ▲ | |
Private nonprofit | $25,900 | $26,200 | ▲ | |
Private for-profit | $21,800 | $22,300 | ▲ | |
Loans for Undergraduate Students2 ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Average tuition and fees | $11,780 | $12,080 | ▲ | |
Average student loan amount | $7,100 | $7,120 | ▲ | |
Sources of Financial Aid ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid at 4-year institutions | 86% | 85% | ▼ | |
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid at 2-year institutions | 79% | 78% | ▼ | |
Postsecondary Institution Revenues2 ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015–16 | ||
Revenue from tuition and fees per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student | ||||
Public institutions | $7,091 | $7,380 | ▲ | |
Private nonprofit institutions | $21,125 | $21,394 | ▲ | |
Private for-profit institutions | $15,357 | $15,806 | ▼ | |
Postsecondary Institution Expenses2 ![]() |
2014–15 | 2015-16 | ||
Instruction expenses per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student | ||||
Public institutions | $10,156 | $10,422 | ▲ | |
Private nonprofit institutions | $17,690 | $17,860 | ▲ | |
Private for-profit institutions | $4,265 | $4,378 | ▲ | |
Population Characteristics and Economic Outcomes | ||||
Educational Attainment of Young Adults ![]() |
2016 | 2017 | Change between years |
|
Percentage of 25- to 29-year-olds with selected levels of educational attainment | ||||
High school completion or higher | 92% | 92% | ||
Associate's or higher degree | 46% | 46% | ||
Bachelor's or higher degree | 36% | 36% | ||
Master's or higher degree | 9% | 9% | ||
Youth Neither Enrolled in School nor Working ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | ||
Percentage of 20- to 24-year-olds neither enrolled in school nor working | ||||
Total | 17% | 17% | ||
With less than high school completion | 41% | 42% | ||
High school completion | 28% | 26% | ||
Some college, no bachelor's degree | 9% | 9% | ||
Bachelor's or higher degree | 8% | 8% | ||
Percentage of 16- to 65-year-olds with selected nondegree work credentials | ||||
Had a certification | — | 6% | ||
Had a license | — | 18% | ||
Completed a work experience program | — | 21% | ||
Annual Earnings of Young Adults ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | ||
Median annual earnings for 25- to 34-year-olds2 | ||||
Total | $40,400 | $40,000 | ||
With less than high school completion | $25,300 | $25,400 | ||
Who completed high school as highest level | $30,900 | $31,800 | ||
Who completed some college but did not attain a degree | $35,100 | $34,900 | ||
Who attained an associate's degree | $37,400 | $38,000 | ||
Who attained a bachelor's or higher degree | $54,500 | $54,800 | ||
Who attained a bachelor's degree | $50,600 | $50,000 | ▼ | |
Who attained a master's or higher degree | $60,800 | $64,100 | ||
Employment and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment ![]() |
2016 | 2017 | ||
Employment rates of 25- to 34-year-olds | ||||
Total | 77% | 78% | ▲ | |
With less than high school completion | 59% | 57% | ||
Who completed high school as highest level | 70% | 72% | ||
Who attained a bachelor's or higher degree | 86% | 86% | ||
Unemployment rates of 25- to 34-year-olds | ||||
Total | 6% | 5% | ▼ | |
With less than high school completion | 13% | 13% | ||
Who completed high school as highest level | 9% | 7% | ▼ | |
Who attained a bachelor's or higher degree | 2% | 3% | ||
International Comparisons | ||||
International Comparisons: Reading Literacy at Grade 4 (2016) ![]() |
U.S. average score | International average score | Difference between the U.S. average and the international average |
|
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) | ||||
Average reading literacy scores of 4th-grade students | 549 | 500 | ▲ | |
Average online informational reading score of 4th-grade students | 557 | 500 | ▲ | |
International Comparisons: U.S. 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-Graders’ Mathematics and Science Achievement (2015) ![]() |
U.S. average score | TIMSS scale centerpoint | Difference between the U.S. average and the TIMSS scale centerpoint |
|
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) | ||||
Mathematics scores of 4th-grade students | 539 | 500 | ▲ | |
Mathematics scores of 8th-grade students | 518 | 500 | ▲ | |
Science scores of 4th-grade students | 546 | 500 | ▲ | |
Science scores of 8th-grade students | 530 | 500 | ▲ | |
TIMSS Advanced | ||||
Advanced Mathematics scores of 12th-grade students | 485 | 500 | ▼ | |
Physics Scores of 12th-grade students | 437 | 500 | ▼ | |
International Comparisons: Science, Reading, and Mathematics Literacy of 15-Year-Old Students (2015) ![]() |
U.S. average score |
OECD average score |
Difference between the U.S. average and the OECD average |
|
Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) | ||||
Science literacy scores of 15-year-old students | 496 | 493 | ||
Reading literacy scores of 15-year-old students | 497 | 493 | ||
Mathematics literacy scores of 15-year-old students | 470 | 490 | ▼ | |
Education Expenditures by Country (2014)8 ![]() |
US | OECD | Difference between the U.S. and OECD |
|
Expenditure per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student | ||||
Elementary and secondary education | $12,300 | $9,600 | ▲ | |
Postsecondary education | $29,700 | $16,400 | ▲ | |
International Educational Attainment ![]() |
2015 | 2016 | Change between years |
|
Percentage of the population 25 to 34 years old who completed high school | ||||
United States | 90.5% | 91.5% | ▲ | |
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries | 83.6% | 84.1% | ▲ | |
Percentage of the population 25 to 34 years old who attained a postsecondary degree | ||||
United States | 46.5% | 47.5% | ||
OECD countries | 41.8% | 43.1% | ▲ | |
LEGEND: ▲ = Higher, ▼ = Lower, Blank = Not measurably different 1 Low-poverty schools are defined as public schools where 25 percent or less of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL). A high-poverty school is defined as a public school where more than 75 percent of the students are eligible for FRPL. 2 Data are reported in constant 2016–17 dollars, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 3 Proficient indicates demonstrated competency in challenging subject matter. 4 The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) is the number of students who graduate in 4 years with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. From the beginning of 9th grade (or the earliest high school grade), students who enter that grade for the first time form a cohort that 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. 5 Data are measurably different, although they round to the same number. 6 Data are for full-time instructional faculty on 9-month contracts at degree-granting postsecondary institutions. 7 The average net price at public 4-year institutions uses the lower of in-district or in-state average net price. 8 Data are reported in constant 2016 dollars based on the OECD's National Consumer Price Index. NOTE: All calculations within the At a Glance are based on unrounded numbers. Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity. SOURCE: The Condition of Education 2018. |