What percentage of high school graduates enroll in college? How does Minnesota compare nationally in terms of college participation?

In fall 2006, approximately 68 percent of Minnesota high school graduates enrolled in a postsecondary institution the fall following graduation. Fifty percent of Minnesota high school graduates attended a Minnesota postsecondary institution, while 18 percent attended postsecondary institutions outside Minnesota.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2006, 66 percent of high school completers, nationally, went directly to college. Some differences in immediate enrollment rates among groups of completers have not changed. The gap in rates of those from high- and low-income families persisted. Likewise, completers whose parents had attained a bachelor's degree or higher were more likely than those with parents who had less education to enter college immediately after high school graduation.

More information on participation rates of high school graduates.

What do the most current high school graduate projections show?

After peaking in 2009 at 64,078, Minnesota high school graduates are projected to show a steady decline, with an overall 10 percent decline from 2005 to 2015. The new high school graduate projections were developed by the Minnesota State Demographic Center for the Office of Higher Education.

Students of color will comprise about 20 percent of Minnesota high school graduates in 2015, up from 13 percent in 2005. The largest increases will be in the number of Hispanic and Black graduates.

More information on Minnesota high school graduate projections.

What is the ACT score of Minnesota high school students?

In 2005, approximately 68 percent of Minnesota's high school seniors took the ACT test. Minnesota's average score of 22.3 was first nationally among the 25 states in which more than half the college-bound students took the test.

Approximately 11 percent of seniors take the SAT.

More information on high school student college prep activities.

What types of colleges do high school graduates attend?

Approximately 18 percent of Minnesota high school graduates attend a college out-of-state each year. Of those who choose to study in Minnesota, nearly 60 percent attend a four-year college.

• 39 percent attend a community or technical college
• 19 percent attend a state university
• 19 percent attend the University of Minnesota
• 23 percent attend a private college or career school

More information on college-going activity by high school graduates.