Root Causes: College Graduation

Why is This Trend Important?

College completion is rapidly becoming the entry level qualification for most jobs and the employer demand for new hires is outpacing the supply of college graduates. As jobs require more education and states transition to knowledge-based economies, not only is this a critical issue for individuals, increasing the number of citizens with baccalaureate degrees is also necessary for states and the nation to maintain our competitiveness worldwide.

• In today’s knowledge-based economy, approximately two-thirds of all jobs will require a quality higher education credential or degree.
• The U.S. has fallen from first to 12th in the world in the number of students who complete degrees.  If trends continue, the gap in degree attainment will leave the country three million degrees short of their workforce needs by 2018 and seven million degrees short by 2030 . [1]
• Of students who first enrolled in higher education in 2003-04, six years later (by spring 2009). [2]

o    9% had received a certificate, 9% had received an associate’s degree, and 31% had received a bachelor’s degree

o    15% had not yet received a degree but were currently enrolled at some institution

o    35% had not received a degree and were not enrolled at any institution

What are the Forces and Influences at Work?  

Researchers, academics, and students themselves cite lack of preparation for college, inadequate financial resources, institutional barriers, poor information, and competing life priorities among top causes of college attrition.  Research also shows that low-income, first-generation students aren’t getting the information they need before college to adequately prepare.

Supply - The supply of students in terms of college readiness and enrollment are important aspects of the completion discussion. Students cannot complete unless they start, and cannot start unless they are ready.  1.3 million students will not graduate high school with a diploma, according to Education Week’s Diplomas Count 2010 .   While this is a sobering statistic, college enrollments are on the rise. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that college enrollment increased 32% from 1998 to 2008.

Demand - By 2018, 63% all open U.S. jobs will require some college and the demand for college educated workers will outpace the supply of graduates.   College graduates with flexible skills will also create the new industries of the future, and become employers themselves.

According to the National Center for Higher Education Management System’s HigherEdInfo.org , 39% of adults age 25-34 have earned an associate degree or higher (Data Source: U.S. Census 2009 American Community Survey). Considering the personal and societal benefits to degree completion, these graduation rates are too low. According to Education Pays 2010 , individuals with a college degree get better jobs, earn more money and are more active citizens. In 2008, bachelor degree recipients earned $21,000 more than high school graduates.

 

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