Education is one of the determinants of the success of the nation. Moreover, education is also a very strong factor in the success of the individual. Attending college however does not mean graduating with a degree. Some states are better than others when it comes to college graduation rates by state. Some schools are also better than others, with higher percentage of their students graduating. Here are Us college graduation rates and facts that you may find interesting as well as informative.
Before we go to the college graduation rates by state, it is important to understand that when it comes to college graduation rate, there are several things that actually determine the different factors that affect the rates. One of this is that some schools are more selective than others. These schools only accept students who they deem are more likely to finish their courses. Another factor is that most of the state universities have students who are working, with their own families, and are commuting. All these affect the rate of graduates in a particular school. So in states where the majority of colleges and universities are less selective and in states with very few private colleges and university, it is quite understandable that they have lower college graduation rates.
Now when it comes to college graduation rates by state, the top five college graduation rates by state are Delaware, Iowa, Washington, Virginia and New Jersey. The five lowest states in college graduation rates by state are District of Columbia, Alaska, Idaho, Arkansas and Louisiana. The state with the highest college graduation rates by state, Delaware, has 70.8 percent graduate in six years and 54.8 percent in four years. The state with the lowest college graduation rates by state, District of Columbia, has only 7.7 percent graduate in six years and 2.4 percent graduate in four years. The data on college graduation rates by state is provided by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The percentages are for the year 2010 and public colleges only.
Now when it comes to college graduation rates by race, in the state with the highest college graduation rate in public colleges, Delaware, whites have 63.5 percent graduated in four years and 78.3 percent graduated in six years. They are followed by African Americans at 24.2 percent for four years and 43.9 percent for six years. Asians follow at 52 percent for four years and 73.2 percent in six years. Hispanics come second to the last at 52.2 percent for four years and 68 percent for six years. The lowest are the American Indians with 50 percent for four years and 75 percent for six years. In the state with the lowest percentage of college graduate, District of Columbia, when it comes to race, there is the same trend. Whites have the highest percentage of graduate both for the four year and six year courses, followed by African Americans, Asians, Hispanic and American Indians.