Educational level of American Populace

Secondary School Diploma or less................54 %
Some college or Univ. study, no degree........25 %
Undergraduate degree (BA or BS)..............13.1 %
Graduate or Professional degree............... ...7.2 %

Primary and Secondary Education ( Grades 1 - 12, based on 1992-93 figures)

Total U.S. Population.........................255,078,000
U.S. Population in grades 1-12.............42,816,000
Total instructional staff..........................3, 140,000
Total expenditures......................$253,859,000,000
Students in public Schools*...........................89 %
Students in "low-tuition private schools.........9.5 %
Students in "elite" private schools..................1.5 %

U.S. Public Schools are governed by some 15,000 local school boards.

*Public Schools or institutions in the U.S. are those supported by Public, or taxpayer, funds. Private schools use "private" resources, but are largely open to anyone able to meet entrance requirements and pay the fees.

Higher Education in the U.S. (includes community or junior colleges-which offer Associate Degrees after two years, regular colleges which are largely four-year institutions leading to a B.A. or B.S, and universities, comprehensive institutions which offer both undergraduate and substantial graduate education (masters degrees - M.A. or M.S.; Doctorate - Ph.D).** (1996 figures)

Total undergraduate students.................12,262,000
Graduate students...................................1,721,000
Professional degree students......................295,000
Foreign students.......................................455,000
Students in Public institutions.........................80 %
Students in Private institutions........................20 %
Avg. annual tuition & fees, pub. inst..............$2689
Avg. annual tuition & fees, pub 2 yrs.............$1194
Avg. annual tuition & fees, private inst........$11,522
U.S. public colleges & universities.....................605
U.S. private colleges & universities..................1610
U.S. public 2-year colleges..............................1036
U.S. private 2-year colleges...............................437
Annual expenditures, public..........$109,309,541.000
Annual expenditures, private...........$64,041,076,000

**Education in the U.S. after the secondary level also includes a range of "Vocational Institutions" -- schools providing direct work-related programs in skills such as secretarial work, auto repair, etc.

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U.S. Society & Values
U.S.I.A. Electronic Journal, Vol. 2, No. 4, December 1997