GOV
College Enrollment Rate
The percentage of St. Louis young adults age 18-24 who are enrolled in college, including two-year, four-year, and graduate degree programs
Among young adults, white residents are 35% more likely to be enrolled in college than black residents.
A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in 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 young 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.
More Information
What does this indicator measure?
College Enrollment measures the percentage of St. Louis young adults age 18-24 who are enrolled in college, including two-year, four-year, and graduate degree programs. In 2016, 13,540 young adults were current college students. This means 44.6% of all young adults in St. Louis were enrolled in college.
College enrollment rate analysis
Young adults age 18-24 currently enrolled in college or grad school in St. Louis City.
| All | White | Black | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young adults enrolled in college | 13,540 | 5,484 | 6,179 | - | - |
| Young adult population age 18-24 | 30,389 | 10,705 | 16,259 | - | - |
| College enrollment rate | 44.6% | 51.2% | 38.0% | 1.348 to 1 | 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. This metric measures residents of St. Louis who are currently enrolled in college, and is not directly comparable to the student enrollment of area colleges and universities. Their students may not be residents of the City of St. Louis. The number of sample cases is too small to report reliable estimates for additional racial groups.
What does this analysis mean?
Among young adults, white residents are 35% more likely to be enrolled in college than black residents. 51.2% of white residents between the ages of 18 and 24 are enrolled in college, compared to 38.0% of black residents. 46% of all young adults enrolled in college are black, while 54% of the young adult population is black. If young adults were equitably enrolled in college, there would be 2,146 more black college students.
The disparity in college enrollment disappears in the mature student category (age 25 and over) and the entire adult population (see tables below). Black residents over 25 are nearly as likely to be enrolled in college as white residents. Black adults overall are slightly more likely to be enrolled in college than white adults.
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."
Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission report are linked with this indicator?
The Ferguson Commission’s calls to action related to college enrollment 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 attaining higher education. One of the problems they identified: college access has improved, but college enrollment is still stratified along racial lines.
Mature student college enrollment rate analysis
Adults age 25 and over currently enrolled in college or grad school in St. Louis City.
| All | White | Black | Disparity Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults over 25 enrolled in college | 11,189 | 5,089 | 4,256 | - |
| Adult population over 25 | 219,646 | 108,454 | 92,650 | - |
| Mature student college enrollment rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | 4.6% | 1.022 to 1 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016.
Adult college enrollment rate analysis
Adults age 18 and over currently enrolled in college or grad school in St. Louis City.
| All | White | Black | Disparity Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults enrolled in college | 24,729 | 10,566 | 10,435 | - |
| Adult population | 250,035 | 119,159 | 108,909 | - |
| Adult college enrollment rate | 9.9% | 8.9% | 9.6% | .927 to 1 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016.
