The Coordinating Commission recently published the 2016 Nebraska Higher Education Progress Report, which provides comparative statistics to monitor and evaluate progress toward achieving three priorities for Nebraska's postsecondary education system:
- Increase the number of students who enter postsecondary education in Nebraska.
- Increase the percentage of students who persist and successfully complete a degree.
- Reduce, eliminate, and then reverse the net out-migration of Nebraskans with high levels of educational attainment.
A Legislative task force developed these priorities in 2003.
The 384-page Progress Report includes sections on college enrollment, high school graduation rates, college continuation rates, financial aid, college transfer rates, and college graduation rates.
One of the report's key findings is that the gap in educational attainment between Nebraska's whites and minorities is the second largest in the nation. In Nebraska, 54.11% of 25-to-44-year old, white non-Hispanics have completed an associate's degree or higher. In comparison, only 26.2% of 25-to-44-year old minorities have completed an associate's degree or higher. The net difference is an attainment gap of 27.9.
Nationally, 45.85% of 25-to-44-year old, white non-Hispanics have completed an associate's degree or higher. In comparison, only 32.28% of 25-to-44-year old minorities have completed an associate's degree or higher.
The Progress Report was produced by the Commission's research staff: Jill Heese, Research Coordinator; Dr. Duncan Hsu, Database Manager/Special Projects; and James Schiltz, Data Analyst.
The Commission is the only entity in Nebraska that conducts in-depth, statewide analyses of higher education issues. Visit the Reports page for a full list of reports and analyses.
Estimated difference in college attainment between whites and minorities ages 25 to 44, by state
Source: 2012-2014 American Community Surveys, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, obtained from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS).