OEIS: Key Indicators of Accountability : College Attendance

COLLEGE ATTENDANCE

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Professor with students in a chemistry laboratory.

Oklahoma can celebrate an increasing number of students attending its public colleges and universities. Our college enrollment is at record levels. Enrollment has increased 7 percent since 1998 and by almost 20,000 students in the last five years. The increasing numbers of college students is important. As shown on the next page, Oklahoma has too few college graduates among its citizens.

There is an interesting pattern among Oklahomans with respect to college participation. Recent surveys of Oklahoma's fifth- through 12th-grade students and their parents revealed that most of these students have future plans to attend college, and their parents expect them to do so. And yet, more than 40 percent do not enroll in college directly from high school. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, Oklahoma’s college-going rate is seven percentage points lower than the national average. Thus, the State Regents’ programs that help prepare high school students for college and encourage college participation—OHLAP, GEAR UP and EPAS—are very important.

Fortunately, unlike the college-going rate directly from high school, the college-going rate among Oklahoma adults is quite strong. One of every four students enrolled in Oklahoma colleges and universities is over the age of 30.

Our state outpaces the nation in adult learners aged 25 to 49 enrolled part-time in higher education. According to the most recent data, 3.1 percent of 25- to 49-year-olds attend college part-time in Oklahoma compared to the national average of 2.7 percent.

Adult education is increasingly crucial to the economic success of our families and state, particularly as our nation moves toward a more knowledge-based, global economy. The current enrollment patterns indicate that too few students go directly to college from high school, but as they get older and participate in the changing workplace, they recognize the value of obtaining a college education.

Click the icon to hear more from Chancellor Risser (WMA, 513k).

Average Public Undergraduate Resident Tuition and Fees Paid by FTE Student.

Percent of First-Time Freshmen Attending in Home State. In the 1996 baseline Oklahoma was 90% and the National was 84%. Oklahoma ranked 90%, National ranked 84%.

Percent of Public Higher Education Enrollments Age 30 and over. In the 1996 baseline Oklahoma was 29% and the same was for the National at 29%. Oklahoma was 24% and the National was 27%.

Enrollment in Oklahoma Public Colleges and Universities Five Year Trend. For 1998-99 showed 211,876, 1999-00 showed 209,559, 2000-01 was 213,972, 2001-02 was 220, 768, 2002-03 was 228,249.

Inefficiencies within the education pipeline are particularly disappointing considering the following:
5-8th grade student plans to attend college 83%.
9-12 grade students plan to attend college 94%.
5-12 grade parents planning for their children to attend college 92%.
Direct to College Going Rate 56.3%.

25-49 year olds enrolled part-time in Higher Education. 1996 Baseline Oklahoma was 3.8% and the National was 2.8%. Oklahoma was 3.1% and the National 2.7%.

High School to College Going Rate.
The 1996 baseline for Oklahoma was 48% and the National was 59%. Oklahoma was 50%, National was 57%.

Concurrent Enrollment for Headcount and Credit Hours.
The 1996 baseline for headcount was 2,906 and credit hours was 18,981.
The current status for 2002-03 was 3,667 for headcount and 23,887 for credit hours.

Non-Credit Activity Contacts. In 1998-99 the baseline was 252,250 and the current status for 2002-03 was 699,122.