83+ College Graduate Statistics Of 2024: Students, Age & Gender

Obtaining a college degree has become an increasingly necessary prerequisite for securing a successful career, and as such, the demand for college graduates has risen in many industries.

This has led to a growing interest in understanding college graduate statistics, such as the percentage of individuals who complete their degree, their major, and graduates by gender, age, and ethnicity.

These statistics can provide valuable insights into the state of higher education and the workforce, as well as guide students in making informed decisions about their academic and career paths. 

 In this article, we will explore some of the most important college graduate statistics.

College Graduate Statistics (Top Picks)

1.  23.50% of bachelor’s degree graduates complete their graduation in more than four years.

2. Among the college graduates of 2022, the unemployment rate was 4%.

3. Harvard University’s graduation rate of four years graduation is 89.69%, and six years of graduation is 98.02%

4. Enrollment in public four years programs was 45.8% in 2022.

5. 47.6% of students enrolled for bachelor’s degrees in 2022.

6. 18.30% or 730,394 college graduates earned degrees in STEM in the U.S.

7. Of the total college graduates, 59.10% of college graduates are White/Caucasian.

8.  2,410,070 White/Caucasians are college graduates in the U.S.

9. 61.40% or 625,154 women graduated with an associate’s degree.

10. 38.60% or 393,013 men graduated with an associate’s degree.

11. 63.8% of the college students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree at the age of 18 and below.

12. California is at the top in the number of college graduates, with 487,890.

13. Alaska state has the lowest number of college graduates, with 3830. 

14. The overall dropout rate is 40% in the U.S.

15. The number of college graduates has increased at an annual rate of 2.8% over the last 10 years. In 2020, 4.090 million or 20.4% of all college students, graduated.

General College Graduate Statistics

16. Almost 18% of college graduates finish their four years of study on time. 

17. About 31.60% of associate’s degree graduates finish their two years of study on time.

18. 23.50% of bachelor’s degree graduates complete their graduation in more than four years.

19. The public college’s graduation rate has increased by 15%.

20. 49.80% of college graduates have a bachelor’s degree.

21. The annual rate of graduates has increased by 2.80% every year for the last ten years.  

22. In 2020, over 4.09 million college students graduated.

23. Among the college graduates of 2022, the unemployment rate was 4%.

24. Harvard University’s graduation rate of four years graduation is 89.69%, and six years of graduation is 98.02%.
25. The global average of college graduates is 38%. This means that about 2 out of 5 adults in the world have a college degree.
26. The United States has the highest percentage of college graduates in the world, with 46% of adults having a bachelor’s degree or higher. Canada is second with 35%, followed by the United Kingdom with 34%.
27. Among adults ages 25 and older, 61% of Asian Americans have a bachelor’s degree or more education, along with 42% of White adults and 28% of Black adults

Here is a table showing the graduation rate of 4 and 6 years graduation by the university. 

University/College	Four Years	Six Years
Princeton University	89.69%	98.02%
Harvard University	85.93%	97.63%
Swarthmore College	91.38%	97.29%
The University of Notre Dame	–	97%
Yale University	83.95%	96.39%
Columbia University	85.72%	96.21%
The University of Chicago	90.72%	95.98%
Williams College	89.01%	95.97%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	86.63%	95.58%
Duke University	88.42%	95.52%

Source: Education Data, Research.com

Collage Graduates Enrollment Statistics

College enrollment rates have been on the rise in recent years, with an increasing number of high school graduates and adult learners choosing to pursue higher education.

Understanding college enrollment statistics is important for policymakers, educators, and students, as it can provide insights into the changing landscape of higher education.

In this article, we will examine some of the most important college graduate enrollment statistics, including enrollment rates by institutions, colleges, and universities. 

By understanding these statistics, we can gain a better understanding of the state of higher education and the opportunities and challenges facing college students today.

28. There were 16.9 million students enrolled at a postsecondary institution. About 14.2 million students were enrolled in an undergraduate program. Roughly 3 million were enrolled in a graduate-level program.

29. Enrollment in public institutions for four-year programs was 45.8% in 2022.

30. There were 3.0 million graduate students enrolled, up from 2.9 million in 2022. The number of students enrolled in online programs is also increasing. In 2023, there were 6.7 million students enrolled in online programs, up from 6.5 million in 2022.

Here is a table showing enrollment in college by school type in 2022.

School Type	Percentage Of Enrollment
Public-4 years	45.8%
Public-2 years	26.4%
Private non-profit-4 years	23.3%
Private for-profit- 4 years	4.5%

31. 47.6% of students enrolled for bachelor’s degrees in 2022.

Here is a table showing college enrollment by Degree level.

Degree Level	Percentage Of Enrollment
Bachelor	47.6%
Associate	24%
Professional	17.5%
Other undergraduate	10.9%

32. 47.6% of students enrolled for bachelor’s degrees in 2022.

Here is a table showing Full-time and Part-time enrollment in 2020.

Enrollment	Full-Time	Part-Time
All colleges	63%	37%
Public-4 years	71.6%	28.4%
Public-2 years	44.4%	55.6%
Private non-profit-4 years	77.7%	22.3%
Private for-profit- 4 years	61.2%	38.8%

33. In 2022, 74% of total enrolled students enrolled online for at least one course.

34. 46% of students enrolled exclusively for online courses in 2022.

35. Experts predicted that 14.89 million students will enroll in public colleges by 2029.

Here is a table showing expected figures for enrollment in the years 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029.

Year	Public Colleges	Private Colleges
2023*	14.7 million	5.16 million
2025*	14.8 million	5.2 million
2027*	14.88 million	5.22 million
2029*	14.89 million	5.22 million

             *Projected 

Source: Bestcolleges.com

College Graduates By Major Statistics

Choosing a major is a significant decision for any college student, as it can have an impact on their career prospects and earning potential after graduation.  As such, understanding college graduates by major statistics is essential for students and educators. 

These statistics can provide insights into the popularity of various majors among college students. 

By understanding these statistics, students can make more informed decisions about their academic and career paths, and educators and policymakers can better understand the changing landscape of higher education and the workforce.

36. 18.30% or 730,394 college graduates earned degrees in STEM in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of the degrees in STEM college graduates in the United States.

STEM College Graduates	Percentage Of College Graduates	Number Of College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	12.90%	94,487
Bachelor’s Degree	59.20%	432,077
Master’s Degree	23%	168,096
Doctorate	4.90%	35,734

37. 16.70% or 699,505 college graduates earned degrees in business in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Business college graduates in the United States. 

Business College Graduates	Percentage Of College Graduates	Number Of College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	16.80%	117,782
Bachelor’s Degree	18.50%	386,201
Master’s Degree	27.50%	192,184
Doctorate	0.48%	3,338

38. 15.80% or 631,486 college graduates earned degrees in Healthcare in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Healthcare college graduates in the United States.

Healthcare College Graduates	Percentage of College Graduates	Number of College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	28.70%	181,056
Bachelor’s Degree	38.80%	244,909
Master’s Degree	20.40%	125,216
Doctorate	12.70%	80,305

39. 11.10% or 444,754 college graduates earned degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of the Liberal Arts and Sciences college graduates in the United States. 

Liberal Arts And Sciences College Graduates	Percentage Of College Graduates	Number Of College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	89.50%	397,926
Bachelor’s Degree	10%	44,262
Master’s Degree	0.56%	2,473
Doctorate	0.020%	93

40. 6.40% or 257,950 college graduates earned degrees in Education in the U.S.

41. The percentage of college graduates who major in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields has been increasing in recent years. In 2023, 18.3% of college graduates earned a degree in a STEM field.

42. The percentage of college graduates who major in liberal arts and sciences has been declining in recent years. 11.1% of college graduates earned a degree in a liberal arts and sciences field.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Education college graduates in the United States.

Education College Graduates	Percentage of College Graduates	Number of College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	6.30%	16,182
Bachelor’s Degree	32%	82,621
Master’s Degree	56.70%	146,367
Doctorate	5%	12,780

43. 4.67% of college graduates earned degrees in Visual and Performing arts disciplines.

44. 19.5% of college graduates earned a bachelor’s degree in business.

Here is a table showing the total Bachelor’s program Graduates’ degree disciplines.

Degree Discipline	Bachelor’s Program Graduates
Business	19.48%
Healthcare	12.17%
Social science and History	8.13%
Psychology	5.97%
Biological and Biomedical Science	5.97
Engineering	5.91%
Communications and Journalism	4.79%
Visual and Performing Arts	4.67%
Education	4.35%
Other fields	28.55%

Source: Education Data, 

College Graduates By Ethnicity Statistics

Understanding the college graduates by ethnicity statistics is an essential step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable education system. 

These statistics provide insights into the representation of different ethnic groups among college graduates, as well as the disparities in educational outcomes that exist across the ethnic group.

In this section, we will explore some of the most important college graduates by ethnicity statistics, including graduation rates by Ethnicity, breakdown of total graduation rates, etc.

By understanding these statistics, we can work towards creating a more equitable and accessible higher education system that provides all students with the opportunity to succeed.

45. Of the total college graduates, 59.10% of college graduates are White/Caucasian.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of college graduates by Ethnicity in 2024.

Ethnicity	Percentage Of College Graduates
White/Caucasians	62.3%
Latino/Hispanic	44.6%
Black/African American	28.2%
Non-residents	6.68%
Pacific Islanders/Asians	25.1%
With two or more ethnicity	2.85%
Alaska Native/American Indians	0.60%

46. 59.10% or 2,410,070 White/Caucasians are college graduates in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of White/Caucasian college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage of White/Caucasian College Graduates	Number Of White/Caucasian College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	25.70%	618,200
Bachelor’s Degree	51%	1.230 million
Master’s Degree	18.70%	451,060
Doctorate	4.60%	110,810

47. 13.10% or 532,720 Latino/Hispanic are college graduates in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Latino/Hispanic college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage Of Latino/Hispanic College Graduates	Number Of Latino/Hispanic College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	40.10%	213,400
Bachelor’s Degree	45.30%	241,560
Master’s Degree	12.30%	65,610
Doctorate	2.30%	12,150

48. 11.10% or 452,760 Black/African American are college graduates in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Black/African American college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage Of Black/African American College Graduates	Number of Black/African American College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	32.30%	146,300
Bachelor’s Degree	44.20%	199,980
Master’s Degree	20.50%	92,670
Doctorate	3.10%	13,810

49. 6.60% or 268,680 Pacific Islanders/Asians are college graduates in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Pacific Islanders/Asian college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage of Pacific Islanders/Asians College Graduates	Number Of Pacific Islanders/Asian College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	21.70%	58,300
Bachelor’s Degree	53.10%	142,560
Master’s Degree	17.70%	47,570
Doctorate	7.50%	20,250

50. 0.60% or 24,820 Alaska Native/American Indians are college graduates in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of Alaska Native/American Indians college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage of Alaska Native/American Indian College Graduates	Number Of Alaska Native/American Indian college Graduates
Associate’s Degree	39.90%	9,900
Bachelor’s Degree	39.90%	9,900
Master’s Degree	16.50%	4,100
Doctorate	3.70%	920

51. 2.90% or 116,350 college graduates are of two or more ethnicity in the U.S. 

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of two or more ethnic college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage Of Two Or More Ethnic College Graduates	Number Of Two Or More Ethnic College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	27.40%	31,900
Bachelor’s Degree	54.50%	63,360
Master’s Degree	14.80%	17,220
Doctorate	3.30%	3,870

52. 6.70% or 272,410 college graduates are non-residents in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of non-resident college graduates in the United States.

College Graduates	Percentage Of Non-Resident College Graduates	Number Of Non-Resident College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	7.80%	21,140
Bachelor’s Degree	32%	87,120
Master’s Degree	52.10%	141,880
Doctorate	8.20%	22,270

Source: Education Data

College Graduates By Gender Statistics

As the number of college graduates in the United States continues to increase, it is important to understand how gender disparities persist in higher education. 

According to recent statistics, women now make up the majority of college graduates in the United States, with a higher percentage of earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees than men.

This section explores the current state of college graduates by gender, examining trends in enrollment and graduation rates.

53. 61.40% or 625,154 women graduated with an associate’s degree.

54. 38.60% or 393,013 men graduated with an associate’s degree. 

55. 57.70% or 1,177,168 women graduated with bachelor’s degrees.

56. 42.30% or 863985 men graduated with bachelor’s degrees.

57. 61.40% or 517,758 women graduated with master’s degrees.

58. 38.60% or 325496 men graduated with master’s degrees.

59. 55.20% or 104,953 women graduated with doctorate degrees.

60. 44.80% or 85179 men graduated with doctorate degrees.

61. In the bachelor’s degree, women have been outnumbered since 2015.

62. The gap in college graduation rates between women and men is wider among older adults. In 2023, 28.9% of women ages 25-34 have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 24.8% of men in the same age group.

63. The gap in college graduation rates between women and men is narrower among younger adults. In 2023, 41.1% of women ages 18-24 have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 37.3% of men in the same age group.

Here is a table showing the graduation rate of women and men.

Gender	Public Institution	Private/Non-Profit Institution	Private/For-Profit Institution
Women	64%	70%	25%
Men	58%	64%	26%

Source: Education Data, 

College Graduates By Age Statistics

The majority of graduates are typically in their early to mid-20s. There are also a significant number of individuals who earn their degrees later in life

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of adults returning to school to pursue higher education or to complete degrees they may have started earlier in life. 

In this section, we will examine the latest statistics on college graduates by different age groups, enrollment trends, and graduation rates. 

By analyzing the data, we can gain a better understanding of how age affects college degrees. 

64. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2020, around 36% of Americans aged 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

65. 63.8% of the college students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree at the age of 18 and below.

Here is a table showing the bachelor’s degree enrollment percentage by age.

Age	Percentage
18 and below	63.80%
19 years old	59.90%
20 to 23 years old	29.40%
24 to 29 years old	20.40%
Above 30 years old	16.40%

66. Enrollment of 18 and 19 years students has increased by 71.20% since 1970. 

Here is a table showing the increase in enrollment by age. (50 years period-from 1970 to 2020)

Age	Increased In Enrollment
18 and 19 years old	71.20%
20 and 21 years old	35.70%
22 to 24 years old	27%
25 to 29 years old	69.30%
30 to 34 years old	50%

Source: Education data, Research.com

College Graduates By States

While a college degree can provide individuals with increased career opportunities and earning potential, access to higher education can vary significantly by State.

In some parts of the country, college enrollment and graduation rates are much higher than in others. 

In this section, we will examine the latest statistics on college graduates by State, providing insights into the geographic differences in college graduates by State. 

Whether you are a student considering your options for higher education or an employer seeking to understand the talent pool in your area, this article provides valuable insights into the role of geography in college attainment and the workforce.

Here is an image showing a percentage of undergrads who graduated within six years by State.

67. California is at the top in the number of college graduates, with 487,890.

68. Alaska state has the least number of college graduates, with 3830.  

Here is a table showing the total number of college graduates by state.

State	Number Of College Graduates
California	487890
New York	296648
Texas	296648
Florida	241900
Illinois	165730
Pennsylvania	165630
Ohio	132360
Massachusetts	124140
Arizona	115530
North Carolina	113310
Michigan	114910
Virginia	112240
Georgia	96030
New Jersey	88150
Minnesota	84660
Missouri	82740
Indiana	79830
Washington	78050
Maryland	75513
Utah	72730
Colorado	66530
Tennessee	64930
Wisconsin	62060
Alabama	60660
Lowa	51830
Kentucky	49070
Oregon	48360
South Carolina	45100
Connecticut	42680
Oklahoma	40610
Kansas	40200
Louisiana	39050
Mississippi	36060
Puerto Rico	34460
Arkansas	32340
New Hampshire	31194
West Virginia	30560
DC	26478
Nebraska	26370
New Mexico	22701
Idaho	20135
Rhode	19782
Nevada	18790
Delaware	14284
Maine	13169
Hawaii	12813
North Dakota	11292
Vermont	10555
South Dakota	10444
Montana	9837
Whyming	5833
Alaska	3830

Here is a table showing the total breakdown of college graduates in the top 5 states of the United States.

69. California

College Graduates	Percentage Of California College Graduates	Number Of California College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	35%	170,890
Bachelor’s Degree	44.40%	216,810
Master’s Degree	16.50%	80,480
Doctorate	4.00%	19,710

70. New York

College Graduates	Percentage Of New York College Graduates	Number Of New York College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	22.10%	65,660
Bachelor’s Degree	47.60%	141,110
Master’s Degree	25.30%	75,060
Doctorate	5.00%	14,818

71. Texas

College Graduates	Percentage Of Texas College Graduates	Number Of Texas College Graduates
Associate’s Degree	31.80%	94,290
Bachelor’s Degree	45.80%	135,670
Master’s Degree	18.60%	55,030
Doctorate	3.80%	11,260

72. Florida

College Graduates	Percentage Of Florida Graduates	Number Of Florida Graduates
Associate’s Degree	30.50%	93,030
Bachelor’s Degree	43.30%	104,850
Master’s Degree	14.40%	34,750
Doctorate	3.80%	9,270

73. Illinois

College Graduates	Percentage Of Illinois Graduates	Number Of Illinois Graduates
Associate’s Degree	22.80%	37,780
Bachelor’s Degree	45.60%	75,610
Master’s Degree	26.30%	43,530
Doctorate	5.30%	8,810

Source: Education data, Research.com

College Dropouts Statistics

While college enrollment and graduation rates have been on the rise in recent years, a significant number of students still drop out of college before completing their degrees.  

The reasons for dropping out can vary widely, from financial difficulties to academic struggles to personal or family issues. Whatever the cause, dropping out of college can have significant long-term consequences, impacting career opportunities and earning potential.

In this section, we will examine the latest statistics on college dropout and explore trends in dropout rates.

74. The overall dropout rate is 40% in the U.S.

75. 1 out of 4 dropout students is a first-year student.

76. College dropout’s unemployment rate is 18.6%.

77. 40% of dropouts come from where students’ parents also did not complete their college. 

78. Students with high loans are less likely to drop out than those with fewer loans.

79. 19 years old students are less likely to drop out of college.

80. Students between the ages of 20 to 29 are more likely to drop out of college.

81. 35% of students drop out from an associate program of 2 years.

Source: Research.com

COVID-19 Pandemic And College Graduation Rate Statistics

The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on nearly every aspect of life, and higher education has been no exception. 

With colleges and universities around the world forced to move to online instruction and social distancing measures, many students have experienced significant disruption to their academic progress.

This section will examine the latest statistics on college graduation rates and enrollment of students in college in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

82. Enrollment during COVID-19 Pandemic was lower by 2.7% than in previous years of the Pandemic.

83. The dropout rate was also higher during the Pandemic than in previous years.  

Source: Prosperity for America

Related Read:

• Admission Statistics
• Interview Statistics
• College Student Statistics
• Average College Professor Salary
• Community College Statistics

Conclusion: College Graduate Statistics (2024) 

The statistics on college graduates provide valuable insights into the state of higher education in the United States. 

While the overall trend in recent years has been toward increased college enrollment and graduation rates, significant disparities still exist in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, and geography.

Moreover, the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic has introduced new challenges and disruptions to higher education.

By working together to support and empower all students to succeed, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and our society as a whole. 

These statistics have been changing every year, and we will be updating you with the most recent statistics of college graduates statists from time to time.

FAQs