The Challenge: Key Statistics

Recently, researchers were startled by new demographic data showing worrisome trends for our state — a dwindling number of high school graduates... a greater proportion of graduates from low-income familes and communities of color who traditionally are less likely to pursue post-high school options... Baby Boomers who are retiring... inadequate numbers of college-educated people to meet state job needs.

The statistics below are important. Take a moment to look at these points and think about them. Together, they form a picture that could have a significant impact on our state's future. View a presentation of this information and sources.

• Since 1991, the United States has slipped from second to 15th in the world in the proportion of the youth population going on to colleges and universities
• While the number of high school graduates will increase nationally in the next decade, it will decline in Minnesota by 10 percent
• The racial/ethnic make-up of our high schools is changing: By 2013, non-white racial/ethnic groups will constitute 21 percent of Minnesota’s high school graduates—a 52 percent increase in minority students and a 19 percent decrease in white students compared with 2003 levels
• Black, American Indian and Hispanic students, even those who take the ACT, are less likely to be enrolled in rigorous courses including high-level high school math, than their non-minority counterparts. This leaves them less well-prepared for college-level work
• Even among high-ability students, fewer than one in three students from low-income families earns a college degree
• If current performance remains unchanged, it is calculated that while 15 out of 100 Asian/Pacific Islanders and 14 out of 100 White 9th graders will graduate high school then immediately complete a bachelor’s degree in the state within six additional years, the same will be achieved by only three out of 100 American Indian students, four out of 100 Black students and five out of 100 Hispanics
• As the number of high school graduates declines, Minnesota college graduates will decline by 11.2 percent over the next ten years
• The number of jobs in Minnesota requiring some college education will grow by 21 percent from 2002 to 2012, while jobs requiring only a high school education will grow by 12 percent
• In 2000, Minnesotans over age 65 represented 12 percent of our population. By 2030, the number of senior citizens will grow to 21 percent. The number of workers supporting each retiree is decreasing rapidly
• By 2017 Minnesota workforce growth and the replacement of retiring seniors will create a demand for college-educated workers that exceeds the number of graduates by 13,000 per year
• Nationally, engineering and science related jobs are increasing three times faster than other professions, yet a dwindling number of high school students are prepared for—or interested in—related college degrees
• Since 1975, the United States has slipped from third to 17th in the world in the percentage of students pursuing science and engineering degrees.

Data from the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation
July 2006 

(Click on graphic to view at larger size)

<< Minnesota's high school class of 2012-13 is projected to earn 11.2 percent fewer bachelor's degrees than the class of 2002-03. >>

Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (2003), Minnesota Private College Research Foundation (2005)