Indicator 41: College Graduation
Rationale: Higher education is required for many of the jobs in the new global economy. The educational attainment of the workforce is important both for the state’s economic development and the financial well-being of individuals.
About this indicator: The percentage of Minnesotans ages 25 and older who have graduated from college was 31.5 percent in 2009, according to the American Community Survey, unchanged form 2008. The percentage increased substantially from 21.8 percent in the 1990 Census and 27.4 percent in the 2000 Census.
Age 25 and older is the standard for computing educational attainment in Census surveys. Most adults have completed their formal educations by that age, though a small number continue.
Percentage of Minnesotans age 25 and older with a Bachelor's degree
| Year | Data |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Minnesotans age 25 and older with a Bachelor's degree, U.S. Bureau of the Census | |
| 1980 | 17.3% |
| 1990 | 21.8% |
| 1991 | 22.3% |
| 1993 | 23.3% |
| 1994 | 26.3% |
| 1995 | 26.5% |
| 1996 | 26.3% |
| 1997 | 28.3% |
| 1998 | 31% |
| 1999 | 32% |
| 2000 | 27.4% |
| 2005 | 30.7% |
| 2006 | 30.4% |
| 2007 | 31% |
| 2008 | 31.5% |
| 2009 | 31.5% |
For comparison: In 2009, Minnesota ranked 11th among states on the proportion of adults who are college graduates. The national average was 27.9 percent.
Things to think about: Much of the increase in educational attainment is traceable to the replacement of older generations who typically had less education. Educational attainment among younger adults has shown little change.
Sources:
- U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census and American Community Survey, http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html
Milestones is a product of the Minnesota State Demographic Center, a division of the Department of Administration