College Enrollment Rate

College Enrollment measures the percentage of young adults ages 18-24 in the St. Louis region who are enrolled in college, including two-year, four-year, and graduate degree programs. In 2016, 71,853 young adults were current college students. This means 41.6% of all young adults in the region were enrolled in college.

College Enrollment Indicator Scores

City of
St. Louis

68

St. Louis
County

79

St. Charles
County

57

St. Clair
County

68

Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

Data Note: PUMS data may differ slightly from estimates on American FactFinder due to differences in sampling. See PUMS technical documentation for more information.

What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For College Enrollment, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean black and white residents are equally likely to be enrolled in college. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

Among young adults in the region, white residents are 31% more likely to be enrolled in college than black residents. In St. Charles County, white adults ages 18-24 are 58% more likely to be enrolled in college when compared to their black counterparts (56.6% relative to 35.8%). White residents in the City of St. Louis are about 35% more likely to be enrolled in college (51.2%) when compared to black residents (38.0%). White residents from St. Clair County are similarly 35% more likely to be enrolled in college (33.4%) when compared to black residents (24.7%). In St. Louis County, white 18- to 24-year-olds are 13% more likely to be enrolled in college (39.8% relative to 35.3%).

If young adults were equitably enrolled in college, there would be

2,150 more black college students from the City of St. Louis,
226 more black college students from St. Charles County,
765 more black college students from St. Clair County, and
1,030 more black college students from St. Louis County.

Why Does College Enrollment Matter?

College enrollment is part of the pipeline to achieving a more highly educated and economically competitive population. In particular, we are focused on young adult college enrollment because of the benefits of “academic momentum.” Research has found “the speed with which undergraduates initially progress in college significantly affects their likelihood of completing a degree, an effect separate from those of high school academic preparation and family socioeconomic status.” In addition, college degrees generally lead to more job opportunities, greater income, and increased professional ability. Disparities in educational attainment contribute to disparities in income and employment for years to come.

WHICH CALLS TO ACTION FROM THE FERGUSON COMMISSION’s REPORT ARE LINKED WITH THIS INDICATOR?

To increase educational attainment, the Ferguson Commission’s calls to action include:

Questions for Further Investigation:

Why is there a racial disparity in College Enrollment Rates?
What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in College Enrollment Rates?
What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in College Enrollment Rates?

How can I learn more about this issue?

In 2017, Young Invincibles released its report, Race & Ethnicity as a Barrier to Opportunity: A Blueprint for Higher Education Equity. The report takes an in-depth look at the disproportionate challenges students of color face in achieving higher education attainment. One of the problems they identified: college access has improved, but college enrollment is still stratified along racial lines.

College Enrollment Rate Data

Percentage of young adults age 18 – 24 currently enrolled in college or grad school

	All	White	Black	Disparity Ratio	Equity Score
Young Adults Enrolled in College	13,540	5,484	6,179
Young Adult Population	30,389	10,705	16,259
College Enrollment Rate for Young Adults	44.60%	51.20%	38.00%	1.348 to 1	68

Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

Percentage of young adults age 18 – 24 currently enrolled in college or grad school

	All	Black	White	Disparity Ratio	Equity Score
Young Adults Enrolled in College	33,897	8,056	21,110
Young Adult Population	86,567	22,807	52,986
College Enrollment Rate for Young Adults	39.20%	35.30%	39.80%	1.127 to 1	79

Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

Percentage of young adults age 18 – 24 currently enrolled in college or grad school

	All	Black	White	Disparity Ratio	Equity Score
Young Adults Enrolled in College	17,863	390	15,827
Young Adult Population	33,474	1,088	27,978
College Enrollment Rate for Young Adults	56.40%	35.80%	56.60%	1.581 to 1	57

Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

Percentage of young adults age 18 – 24 currently enrolled in college or grad school

	All	Black	White	Disparity Ratio	Equity Score
Young Adults Enrolled in College	6,553	2,179	4,050
Young Adult Population	22,464	8,812	12,124
College Enrollment Rate for Young Adults	29.20%	24.70%	33.40%	1.352 to 1	68

Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

Return to Youth at the Center