Enrollment by College Type
Of the ACT-tested students who enroll in college, 24% attend a 2-year college, 54% attend a public 4-year college, and 22% attend a private 4-year college.
Percent of College-Enrolled ACT-Tested High School Graduates Enrolled in Different College Types by State ACT Participation Rate, 2012
- With the exception of states that administer the ACT statewide, the majority of ACT-tested students attend a public 4-year college.
- The percentage of ACT-tested students who attend a 2-year college increases with state ACT participation rate.
- With the exception of states that administer the ACT statewide, the percentage of ACT-tested students who attend a private 4-year college decreases as state ACT participation rate increases.
Graph reads: 20% of college-enrolled ACT-tested students from states administering the ACT statewide attend a private 4-year college.
| State ACT Participation Rate | 2-Year | Public 4-Year | Private 4-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 26% | 15% | 53% | 32% |
| 26%–50% | 20% | 52% | 28% |
| 51%–75% | 22% | 59% | 19% |
| 76%–100% | 32% | 57% | 11% |
| Statewide (100%) | 33% | 47% | 20% |
Note: Percentages within state ACT participation rate may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Percent of College-Enrolled ACT-Tested High School Graduates Enrolled in Different College Types by ACT Composite Score, 2012
- As ACT Composite score increases, the percentage of students who attend a 2-year college decreases.
- In contrast, the percentage of students who attend a private 4-year college increases as ACT Composite score increases.
- The percentage of students who attend a public 4-year college peaks at an ACT Composite score range of 24–27 and then declines as ACT Composite score continues to increase.
- Only in the ACT Composite score range of 1–15 do the majority of students attend a 2-year college as opposed to a 4-year college.
Graph reads: 59% of college-enrolled ACT-tested students with an ACT Composite score in the range of 1–15 attend a 2-year college.
| ACT Composite Score Range | 2-Year | Public 4-Year | Private 4-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–15 | 59% | 31% | 10% |
| 19–19 | 40% | 45% | 14% |
| 20–23 | 23% | 57% | 20% |
| 24–27 | 11% | 63% | 26% |
| 28–32 | 4% | 61% | 35% |
| 33–36 | 1% | 51% | 48% |
Note: Percentages within ACT Composite score range may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Percent of College-Enrolled ACT-Tested High School Graduates Enrolled in Different College Types by Parent Education Level, 2012
- As parent education level increases, the percentage of ACT-tested students who attend a 2-year college decreases.
- Conversely, the percentage of ACT-tested students who attend a private 4-year college increases with parent education level.
- With the exception of first-generation college students— that is, students whose parents did not attend college—the majority of ACT-tested students attend a public 4-year college.
Graph reads: 58% of college-enrolled ACT-tested students whose parents earned a bachelor’s degree attend a public 4-year college.
| Parent Education Level | 2-Year | Public 4-Year | Private 4-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| No College | 38% | 48% | 14% |
| Some College | 33% | 51% | 17% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 19% | 58% | 22% |
| Graduate Degree | 12% | 58% | 30% |
Note: Based on 84% of college-enrolled ACT-tested high school graduates for whom parent education level is available. Percentages within parent education level may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Percent of College-Enrolled ACT-Tested High School Graduates Enrolled in Different College Types by Degree Plans, 2012
- A large majority of ACT-tested students who plan to obtain an associate’s degree or an undergraduate certificate attend a 2-year college.
- In contrast, the majority of ACT-tested students who plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree attend a public 4-year college.
- As degree aspirations increase, so does the percentage of ACT-tested students who attend a private 4-year college.
Graph reads: 26% of college-enrolled ACT-tested students who plan to earn a graduate degree attend a private 4-year college.
| Degree Plans | 2-Year | Public 4-Year | Private 4-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less Than Bachelor's Degree | 70% | 22% | 8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 30% | 52% | 18% |
| Graduate Degree | 15% | 59% | 26% |
Note: Based on 91% of college-enrolled ACT-tested high school graduates for whom degree plans are available. Percentages within degree plans may not sum to 100 due to rounding.