Change in Percentage of Recent High-School Graduates Enrolled in College, by Largest Racial/Ethnic Groups, 2007 to 2017

The percentage of black high-school graduates who enrolled in college by October of the year they graduated dropped from its peak of more than 66 percent in 2010 to just over 58 percent in 2017. The percentage of black recent high-school graduates enrolled in college in 2017 was nearly nine points below that of their Hispanic counterparts. In 2010 blacks were nearly four percentage points higher than Hispanics on that measure.

Note: Data are based on sample surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Enrollment in college is as of October of each year for individuals ages 16 to 24 who completed high school earlier in the same calendar year. Enrollment in two- and four-year colleges is counted. Asian, white, and black race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity and persons of two or more races. The Asian category excludes Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Percentages represent three-year moving averages, which are weighted averages for the year indicated, the year immediately preceding it, and the year immediately following it. For 2017, a two-year moving average is used. Questions or comments on the Almanac should be sent to Ruth Hammond.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey

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