Locations
Maine
Statistics on children, youth and families in Maine from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Maine Children's Alliance
College starting within 12 months of graduating high school in Maine
College starting within 12 months of graduating high school
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Why This Indicator Matters
Students who gain a credential of an associates degree or a bachelor's degree have a higher likelihood of maintaining employment at a wage that will allow them to meet their economic needs. Students who begin college immediately after high school graduation or within one year are more likely to graduate than those who start college later.
What the data shows
Between 2009-2019 the overall percent of high school students who enrolled in either a two-year college or a four-year college within one year of graduation was very stable- between 63-67%. For students graduating high school since June 2020 and June 2021, there has been a marked decline. Just 59.2% of 2020 high school graduates enrolled in college within 1 year of high school graduation. The following year, 2021, the overall rate declined further to 56.9%. In 2022, the rate has inched up to 57.8% including 643 more students enrolled in two-year programs and 514 fewer students enrolled in four-year programs. This is likely because community colleges now offer free tuition for new Maine high school graduates.
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What the data shows
Between 2009-2019 the overall percent of high school students who enrolled in either a two-year college or a four-year college within one year of graduation was very stable- between 63-67%. For students graduating high school since June 2020 and June 2021, there has been a marked decline. Just 59.2% of 2020 high school graduates enrolled in college within 1 year of high school graduation. The following year, 2021, the overall rate declined further to 56.9%. In 2022, the rate has inched up to 57.8% including 643 more students enrolled in two-year programs and 514 fewer students enrolled in four-year programs. This is likely because community colleges now offer free tuition for new Maine high school graduates.
Definition and Source
PROVIDER
Definition
This measures the number and percentage of students who enrolled in a two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the academic year within 12 months following high school graduation.
Data Source
National Student Clearinghouse Report run for Maine Department of Education posted to Maine Department of Education Data Warehouse Student Outcomes National Student Tracker 2022 prepared for Maine July 2023 page 11. "Students Enrolled in College at Any Time During the First Year After High School" This includes: total students enrolled, and whether the student enrolled in a two-year or four-year college.
Notes
The first year after high school includes any enrollment that occurs between August 15 of the graduation year and August 14 of the following year. The out-of-state enrollment in Maine Colleges is not included. Data is shown only for classes which have completed the first year after high school. For the latest year, data is as of April 27, 2023, so this omits students who enrolled between April 28 - August 14, 2023. Data from the two prior years has been revised based on the latest National Student Clearinghouse Report.
Last Updated
August 2023