Each year, millions of American students complete high school and face the decision of whether to pursue higher education. Understanding what percentage of high school graduates go to college is crucial for policymakers, educators, and families as they evaluate educational outcomes and plan for the future. This article explores the most recent college enrollment rate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), historical trends, demographic variations, factors influencing enrollment decisions, and implications for the U.S. education system.
What Percentage of High School Graduates Go to College?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 62.8% of recent high school graduates enrolled in college in October 2024. This marks a modest increase from 61.4% in October 2023, reflecting a continued but slow rebound from earlier pandemic-era declines. Historically, the college enrollment rate among recent high school graduates has hovered around 63% since the early 2000s, though it peaked at 70% in 2009 following the Great Recession as students sought to further their education during an economic downturn.
Key Statistics on College Enrollment for High School Graduates
- Total High School Graduates: 3.2 million youth ages 16 to 24 graduated between January and October 2024.
- Immediate College Enrollment Rate: 62.8% of graduates enrolled in college by October 2024.
- Four-Year College Enrollment: 66.7% of enrolled graduates chose four-year institutions in 2024.
- Two-Year College Enrollment: 33.3% of enrolled graduates chose two-year community or technical colleges in 2024.
- Gender Enrollment Gap: 69.5% of female graduates enrolled versus 55.4% of male graduates in October 2024.
- Racial/Ethnic Enrollment Variation (2024): 94.7% Asian, 62.2% White, 59.2% Black or African American, 55.4% Hispanic or Latino.
- Labor Force Participation Among Enrolled (2024): 41.2% of enrolled graduates were working or seeking work in October 2024, compared to 66.4% of non-enrollees.
College Enrollment Trends Over the Years
Between 2017 and 2024, the college enrollment rate of recent high school graduates in the United States showed notable fluctuations. In 2017, 66.7% of 2.87 million high school graduates enrolled in college. The enrollment rate peaked at 69.1% in 2018 before experiencing a steady decline due to pandemic-related disruptions, reaching a low of 61.4% in 2023. However, by 2024, the college enrollment rate began to recover, climbing to 62.8% with 2.02 million out of 3.22 million graduates pursuing higher education. Although enrollment rates have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, the data highlights a gradual post-pandemic rebound in the number of high school graduates enrolling in college.
| Year | Number of Recent High School Graduates (in millions) | Number of Recent High School Graduates Enrolled in College (in millions) | College Enrollment Rate among Recent High School | Notes |
| 2017 | 2.87 | 1.91 | 66.7% | Pre-pandemic stable trend |
| 2018 | 3.21 | 2.22 | 69.1% | Gender enrollment gap persists |
| 2019 | 3.18 | 2.10 | 66.2% | |
| 2020 | 3.12 | 1.95 | 62.7% | Pandemic disruptions |
| 2021 | 2.73 | 1.69 | 61.8% | |
| 2022 | 2.99 | 1.85 | 62.0% | |
| 2023 | 3.10 | 1.90 | 61.4% | |
| 2024 | 3.22 | 2.02 | 62.8% | Slight recovery post-pandemic |
What Demographic Factors Influence College Enrollment Rates?
By Gender
In October 2024, 69.5 percent of female high school graduates (ages 16–24) enrolled in college, compared to 55.4 percent of male graduates.
The gender gap persists, with women consistently enrolling at higher rates than men over the past decade. For comparison, in October 2023, 65.3 percent of women and 57.6 percent of men enrolled in college immediately after high school
By Race
| Race/Ethnicity | Enrollment Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Asian | 94.7 |
| White | 62.2 |
| Black or African American | 59.2 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 55.4 |
Asian graduates lead all groups with a 94.7 percent enrollment rate, reflecting strong cultural and familial emphasis on higher education. White graduates enroll at 62.2 percent, closely aligning with the national average. Black and Hispanic graduates have lower rates—59.2 percent and 55.4 percent, respectively—highlighting persistent gaps that point to systemic barriers such as unequal access to academic resources and financial support.
These disparities underscore the need for targeted supports, such as mentorship programs, college-preparation resources, and financial aid, to ensure that students from underrepresented backgrounds can access higher education equitably.
What Types of Institutions Do Graduates Attend?
Four-year institutions: About 67% of high school graduates enrolled in college in October 2024 chose four-year institutions, highlighting sustained demand for bachelor’s degree programs and robust four-year college enrollment.
Two-year community or technical colleges: The remaining 33% of recent high school graduates opted for two-year technical or community colleges, underscoring the appeal of affordable, career-focused education at two-year colleges. In October 2023, 75% of recent high school graduates enrolled in college attended four-year colleges, while 25% enrolled in two-year colleges.
In 2024, the proportion of high school graduates choosing four-year colleges decreased to 67 percent from 75.0 percent in 2023, reflecting a notable shift toward two-year colleges. This trend suggests that affordability, flexibility, and career-oriented programs at community colleges are increasingly influencing enrollment decisions in the current economic climate.
What Factors Influence the Decision to Attend College?
Multiple factors impact whether a high school graduate decides to enroll in college immediately:
- Financial Constraints: Rising average college tuition and living costs remain significant barriers. Many families struggle to cover expenses despite financial aid, contributing to the 37.2 percent of graduates who did not enroll in October 2024.
- Academic Preparedness: Access to rigorous coursework (e.g., AP classes) and college counseling can increase the likelihood of enrollment. Students lacking these resources may postpone or forgo college.
- Labor Market Conditions: During tight labor markets with high wages for skilled trades, some graduates choose immediate employment over college. In October 2024, 41.2 percent of enrolled graduates participated in the labor force (either employed or seeking work), compared to 66.4 percent of non‑enrollees
- Family and Social Influences: Parental education and cultural expectations remain strong predictors of college enrollment. First-generation students often face information gaps that can delay their enrollment decisions.
- Geographic Accessibility: Proximity to campus and availability of in-state tuition significantly affect enrollment, especially for rural students, where distances to the nearest college may deter immediate enrollment.
What Are the Implications of College Enrollment Trends?
The fact that 37.2 percent of recent graduates did not enroll in college in October 2024 highlights gaps in workforce readiness and educational equity:
- Support for Non-Enrollees: Developing apprenticeships, career and technical education (CTE), and other workforce training programs can help graduates who choose not to pursue a degree.
- Bridging Achievement Gaps: Enhancing K–12 academic support—particularly in low-income and rural areas—can improve college preparedness and boost enrollment rates.
- Affordability and Access: Expanding need‑based aid, tuition freezes, and scholarship programs can reduce financial barriers and encourage a greater share of graduates to enroll.
- Promoting Equitable Outcomes: Targeted interventions—such as summer bridge programs and campus readiness workshops—can reduce racial and gender disparities in enrollment, thereby promoting long-term social mobility.
Conclusion
The BLS reports that 62.8 percent of high school graduates ages 16 to 24 enrolled in college in October 2024, up slightly from 61.4 percent in October 2023. Two-thirds of these students attended four-year institutions, and the remainder chose two-year colleges. Although overall enrollment has stabilized since the pandemic, disparities by gender, race, and socioeconomic status persist. Addressing financial, academic, and geographic barriers will be key to increasing college enrollment and ensuring that every graduate has the opportunity to pursue higher education.
FAQs
What is the current percentage of high school graduates going to college?
As of October 2024, 62.8% of high school graduates ages 16 to 24 were enrolled in college.
How has the enrollment rate changed since the pandemic?
The rate dipped below 60% in 2020 due to pandemic disruptions but recovered to 61.8% in October 2022 and further rose to 62.8% by October 2024.
Why are fewer graduates choosing four-year colleges in 2024?
In 2024, the share of four-year enrollees decreased from 75.0% in 2023 to 66.7%, indicating that cost, flexibility, and career-focused two-year programs have become more appealing.
Which demographic has the highest college enrollment rate?
Asian graduates lead with a 94.7% immediate enrollment rate, followed by White (62.2%), Black or African American (59.2%), and Hispanic or Latino graduates (55.4%).
How does labor force participation differ between enrollees and non-enrollees?
Only 41.2% of enrolled graduates participated in the labor market in October 2024, compared to 66.4% of recent graduates who did not enroll in college, indicating that two-year college students are more likely to work while studying.
What factors primarily influence a graduate’s decision to attend college?
Key factors include financial constraints, academic preparedness, labor market conditions, family influence, and geographic accessibility, all of which affect whether a student enrolls immediately after high school.
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, “College Enrollment and Work Activity of Recent High School and College Graduates,” October 2024 (bls.gov)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, “College Enrollment and Work Activity of Recent High School Graduates,” October 2023 (bls.gov)
- American College Testing Program, unpublished tabulations, derived from statistics collected by the Census Bureau, 1960 through 1969. U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October, 1970 through 2022 (nces.ed.gov)