- Improving College & Career Readiness
- About This Report
- College Readiness
- Educational/Career Aspirations
- Access & Preparation
- Academic Performance
- A First Look at STEM
- Looking Back at the Class of 2012
- Academic Achievement & Academic Behaviors
- Policies & Practices to Increase Readiness
- Notes
- 2013 ACT National and State Scores
Educational Aspirations by Race/Ethnicity
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About 87% of all 2013 ACT-tested high school graduates aspired to attain at least a 2-year postsecondary degree, regardless of race/ethnicity.
About 82% of Asian graduates aspired to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, with 53% aspiring to continue their formal education beyond a 4-year degree. American Indian graduates (28%) were the least likely to aspire to a graduate or professional degree; 33%–36% of African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, or White graduates aspired to a graduate or professional degree.
Note: Columns may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Race/ethnicity categories changed in 2011 to reflect updated US Department of Education reporting requirements.
Percent of ACT-Tested High School Graduates by Race/Ethnicity and Educational Aspirations, 2013
Graph reads: In 2013, 33% of ACT-tested African American high school graduates aspired to a graduate or professional degree, 45% to a bachelor’s degree, 8% to an associate’s or voc-tech degree, and 14% to another degree type (or provided no response).
| Goal | African American | American Indian | Asian | Hispanic | Pacific Islander | White | All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate/ Professional Degree | 33% | 28% | 53% | 35% | 36% | 36% | 36% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 45% | 46% | 29% | 41% | 43% | 47% | 44% |
| Associate's/ Voc-tech Degree | 8% | 12% | 2% | 7% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| Other/ No Response | 14% | 14% | 15% | 17% | 15% | 10% | 13% |