College Dropout Statistics By Occupation, Enrolment, Gender, Reasons, Ethnicity, Economic Impact and Facts

Introduction

College Dropout Statistics: Currently, 12 million students are attending college in the U.S., which makes up about 60.9% of all undergraduate and graduate students. At the same time, many students enrol, but not all complete their degrees. Each year, about 20.7% of students, or roughly 4.1 million, graduate. This means that many students drop out before finishing their degree.

To put it simply, there are more students leaving college than those who graduate. In this blog, we will dive deeper into the reasons behind students dropping out of college, and we’ll also look at the College Dropout Statistics to better understand this issue.

Editor’s Choice

• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 23.3% of first-time, full-time freshmen in college drop out within their first year.
• By July 2022, 41.9 million Americans had dropped out of college, and 943,169 of them went back to school that fall.
• People who drop out of college earn, on average, 35% less than those with a bachelor’s degree.
• College dropouts are 20% more likely to be unemployed compared to people with any degree.
• College Dropout Statistics state that almost 32.9% of college students drop out every year.
• There are around 43.3 million college dropouts in the U.S., which is 3.6% more than the previous year.
• Among first-time degree seekers, 53.8% of part-time students drop out, while 39.5% of full-time students leave.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 32.9% of college students leave school every year.
• There are about 43.3 million college dropouts in the U.S.
• California has the most college dropouts, with 15.27% of them, or about 6.6 million.
• College dropouts face a higher unemployment rate of 6.4%, compared to 3.6% for college graduates. This applies to both men (4.8%) and women (5.9%).
• College dropouts make 56.15% less money than those with a college degree, earning a median of $39,900 a year compared to $91,000 for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• The top reasons students drop out are money problems (42%), family issues (32%), and realizing their major isn’t the right one (30%).
• Most dropouts come from community colleges, making up 58.3% of all college dropouts.
• Full-time students are less likely to drop out than part-time students.
• Asian students have the lowest dropout rate at 10.9%, while American Indian/Alaska Native students have the highest at 45.1%.
• Most college dropouts work in sales and office jobs (20.7%) and service jobs (18.5%).
• Single parents are more likely to leave college, with 20.7% of them not finishing, compared to 11.4% of parents in two-parent households.

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Why Is The College Dropout Rate So High?

There are many reasons why students decide to drop out of college. Money problems are the biggest reason for the high dropout rate. Other common reasons include family issues, not being ready for college, and health problems.

When people think about students dropping out, they often assume it’s because of laziness or poor grades. While some students do leave for these reasons, there are many other factors involved. In fact, some students have no choice but to quit.

Top Occupation of people who drop out of college

General College Dropout Statistics

• The U.S. ranks 7th out of 36 countries in the OECD for graduation rates.
• In 2024, 16.9 million students are enrolled in postsecondary schools.
• Only 41% graduate in four years without delays, while 62.2% finish within six years.
• During the 2022/23 academic year, more than 864,000 dropouts returned to college.
• Of those who came back, 53,300 completed their first undergraduate degree that same year, and 508,700 continued their second year after returning the previous year.
• Nearly 32.9% of college students leave school every year.
• The average dropout rate for first-time, first-year students is 19.0%.
• Money problems cause 30% of college dropouts.

(Source: valuecolleges.com)

• Computer science students have the highest dropout rate, at 10.7%.
• About one-third of dropouts happen because of personal or family problems.
• California has the highest number of dropouts, with 6.61 million students in 2023.
• The District of Columbia has the lowest dropout rate, with only 38,620 students in 2023.
• The average dropout rate for undergraduate students in the U.S. is 40%.
• By July 2023, 39 million Americans, or 17% of all adults, had attended college but didn’t finish their degree.
• Male students drop out 20% more often than female students.
• 3 out of 10 students are more likely to leave college during their first year.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that about 24% of first-time undergraduate students dropped out between 2023 and 2024.
• 6% of students who started college in 2015 were not enrolled by 202 and hadn’t earned a degree.
• The dropout rate is higher for American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Pacific Islander students compared to Hispanic, white, and Asian students in their first year.
• First-year students make up about 30% of all college dropouts.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 40% of college dropouts have parents who didn’t complete higher education.

College Enrolment Statistics

• Some students decide to return to school after quitting, and many new students are choosing different programs to improve their future. Here are some key facts about this:
• The number of undergraduate students is expected to increase by 8% from 2020 to 2030. However, it dropped by 9% between 2009 and 2020 (according to NCES).
• In 2023, 70% of female high school graduates immediately enrolled in further education, compared to 55% of male graduates.

(Source: collegeadvisor.com)

• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost only 9% of students who dropped out re-enrolled during the 2021-2022 school year. Of those who returned, 71% continued at four-year schools, while 57% at community colleges kept studying.
• Around 47% of adults who aren’t in college are considering going back, and 61% have thought about continuing their studies in the last few years.
• 55% of dropouts are unsure about re-enrolling because of the cost of education. Additionally, 45% are avoiding it due to inflation, and 38% are still deciding about the costs.
• More students are interested in programs other than a bachelor’s degree. Enrollment in non-degree courses at community colleges has increased by 4.8%.
• The government and educators are working hard to reduce the dropout rate, which has started to go down after rising during the pandemic.

College Dropout Rates by State Statistics

College dropout rates differ depending on the area and are influenced by factors like population size, the economy, and local education quality.

• California has the highest number of college dropouts among all states.
• Alaska has the biggest gap between dropouts and students still enrolled, with almost six dropouts for every student still attending college.
• In Texas, only 8% of dropouts were last enrolled in college between the ages of 45 and 64, the lowest rate for this age group across all states.
• Mississippi has the highest percentage of college dropouts (61.3%) who left before turning 25.

College Enrolment by Gender or Age Statistics

• Nearly 64.8% of women in the U.S. aged 25 and older have attended higher education.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 50.24% of women 25 and older have earned at least one degree.
• Around 60.51% of men aged 25 and older have gone to college.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 45.89% of men 25 and older have at least one degree.
• Women over 25 are 20.15% more likely to enrol in higher education than men and 19.1% more likely to finish their degrees.
• Almost 74.3% of male college students go to public schools, and 25.7% attend private schools.
• Nearly 71.4% of female students attend public institutions, while 28.6% go to private schools.
• Women are 525% more likely than men to choose public institutions.
• Nearly 42.7% of undergraduate students are men.

(Reference: educationdata.org)

• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 7% of Americans aged 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• By 2024, it’s expected that 67.2% of college students will be 24 years old or younger.
• Almost 39% of Americans aged 18 to 24 are currently enrolled in college or graduate school.
• 84% of all students in college are aged 18 to 19.
• Nearly 38.52% of students in college are aged 20 to 24.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 19% of all students are aged 25 to 29.
• Around 5.71% of all college students are aged 30 to 34.
• 72% of all students in college are aged 35 to 39.
• Nearly 4.1% of students are between 40 and 49 years old.
• People aged 50 to 64 make up 1.92% of all college students.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 2.18% of students are aged 50 and older.

 (Source: educationdata.com)

• College Dropout Statistics stated that 39% of graduate students are men.
• Nearly 34.2% of American men aged 18 to 24 are enrolled in college or grad school.
• Although 58.5% of bachelor’s degrees are awarded to women.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that nearly 62.6% of associate degrees and 62.8% of master’s degrees go to women.
• Almost 57% of doctorate degrees are awarded to women.

Reasons for Students Leaving College

• Students drop out of college for different reasons, such as money problems, lack of time, not having enough support or tough academic standards.
• 42% of students who dropped out said money problems were the main reason they left.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that nearly 32% of dropouts said family issues or personal commitments caused them to quit.
• Among students still in college but thinking about leaving, about 53% said the cost of college was too high, and 50% struggled with other related expenses.
• 41% of those who dropped out said more financial help would have made them stay in school.

(Reference: educationdata.org)

• Other reasons for dropping out include academic challenges or not having enough support:
• 26% of dropouts said they left because of academic struggles.
• College Dropout Statistics stated that almost 22% said mental health problems were a factor in their decision to drop out.
• Students who dropped out or thought about leaving were less likely to have family support to keep going in college.
• 41% of first-generation college students have seriously thought about quitting or are at risk of being kicked out of school.
• In the U.S., the growing number of students dropping out of college is mainly due to money problems. Since the 1980-1981 school year, tuition fees have increased by 236.61%, and universities are now asking for more from applicants.

Money Issues

• College Dropout Statistics show that 30% of students at risk of dropping out say money problems are the main reason they’re thinking of leaving school.
• Around 53% of these students have trouble paying tuition, and 50% face other costs like living expenses, food, and books.
• Even students expected to graduate on time have financial struggles, with 21% and 26% mentioning similar issues.
• More affordable options, like online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, can help.
• Even though financial aid is available, it doesn’t always cover enough of the costs.
• About 42% of at-risk students rated the financial support they received as “fair” or “poor” despite having scholarships and advice from schools.
• Because the costs are so high, only 25% of at-risk students planned how to pay for their entire education before enrolling, which is much lower than the 46% of students who stayed on track and planned their finances early.

Motivation and Focus

• Only 56% of at-risk students started college with a clear idea of their future careers, and 30% changed their minds about what they wanted to do after they enrolled.
• This lack of direction can make them lose focus and commitment to finishing their studies, which shows the need for better career planning help from schools.
• College Dropout Statistics also found that 82% of at-risk students agreed that having a career plan when entering college is important for success.
• However, only 67% felt confident about their career path while in school. Also, only 50% thought their school had good resources to help them choose the right degree.

Mental Health Problems

• Around 18% of at-risk students say mental health problems are a big reason they’re thinking about dropping out.
• Only 31% of these students rated their mental health as “good” or “excellent.”
• 67% struggle to stay healthy.
• 78% find it difficult to focus on their mental health.
• Without enough support in schoolwork, finances, or social life, students may consider dropping out and looking for opportunities that fit them better.

College Dropout Rates by Ethnicity

Studies show that Asian students are the least likely to drop out of college, while Black students tend to drop out more often. Here’s a summary of dropout rates by race:

(Reference: research.com)

Asian Students:

• Asian students represent 3.6% of all college dropouts.
• The dropout rate for Asians aged 16-24 is just 1.9%, the lowest among all ethnic groups.
• 77% of Asian students hold an associate degree, and 71% of those aged 25-29 have a bachelor’s degree.

White Students:

• White students make up 32.9% of all college dropouts.
• White students aged 16-24 have a dropout rate of 4.3%.
• 55% of White students have an associate degree, and 35% of those aged 25-29 hold a bachelor’s degree.

Hispanic Students:

• The five-year graduation rate for Hispanic students seeking a bachelor’s degree is 55.4%.
• Hispanic students aged 16-24 have a dropout rate of 7.9%.
• 34% of Hispanic students hold an associate degree, while 25% of those aged 25-29 have a bachelor’s degree.

American Indian Students:

• Native American students represent 3% of all college dropouts.
• Native American students aged 16-24 have a dropout rate of 9.9%.
• 18% of American Indian students have an associate degree, and 28% of those aged 25-29 hold a bachelor’s degree.

Black Students:

• The graduation rate for African American students aiming for a bachelor’s degree is 42.6%.
• African American students make up 14.1% of all college dropouts.
• Black students aged 16-24 have a dropout rate of 5.75%.
• 35% of Black students hold an associate degree, and 11% of those aged 25-29 have a bachelor’s degree.

Students of More Than One Race:

• The five-year graduation rate for students of mixed races seeking bachelor’s degrees is 57.4%.
• Students of multiple races aged 16-24 have a dropout rate of 4.5%.

College Dropout Statistics by Gender

• College dropout rates are lower for students aged 35 to 64 compared to those under 35.
• Younger male students (under 25) have a higher dropout rate, while older female students (over 25) are more likely to drop out.
• A recent report shows that 40.4% of male dropouts return to school, while 56.6% of female dropouts re-enroll.
• Within six years, 32.4% of female students drop out, while 38.9% of male students do.
• Male students tend to drop out more in public universities and private nonprofit colleges, but female students have higher dropout rates in private for-profit colleges.

(Reference: missiongraduatenm.com)

Following are the details about the women’s and men’s dropout rates by institutes:

Effects of College Dropout Rate Statistics

• The average yearly salary for full-time workers aged 25 and older who dropped out of college is $39,900.
• Those who finish an associate’s degree earn about $41,000 a year, while people with a bachelor’s degree or higher make an average of $91,000 annually.
• Men who drop out of college earn about 35.3% less than men who finish their degree.
• The typical yearly salary for male college dropouts is $53,280, while male college graduates earn between $82,370 and $142,340.
• Women who drop out of college earn around 33.1% less than women who complete their degree.

(Reference: thirdway.org)

• On average, female dropouts earn $41,190 a year, while female graduates earn between $61,580 and $100,460.
• The unemployment rate for people aged 25 to 64 who dropped out of college is 6.4%, while the rate for those with at least a bachelor’s degree is 3.6%.
• This difference holds for both men (4.8%) and women (5.9%).
• Colleges lose about $16.5 billion in tuition from students who drop out.
• College dropouts with student loans are four times more likely to stop paying off their loans compared to graduates with student loans.
• 53% of college dropouts have jobs, compared to 72% of college graduates.
• Dropouts are more likely to work in lower-paying jobs like retail, food service, and manual labour.
• The average salary for dropouts is around $30,000, while graduates earn about $52,000 annually.
• 26% of college dropouts work part-time, compared to 16% of graduates.
• College graduates are more likely to work in higher-paying fields such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
• The difference in employment between dropouts and graduates shows the long-term financial effects of not completing college.

Economic Impact of College Dropout Statistics

• Data shows that students with high student loan debt are more likely to drop out of college, hoping it will help reduce their financial strain.
• More than two million students have struggled to pay off their loans in the last six years, according to College Dropout Statistics.
• College dropouts have a negative impact on both the students and the economy, as many can’t recover financially after leaving school.
• 55% of students find it hard to get financial help for their education, and 79% of them delay their studies because of it. Additionally, 51.04% of students drop out because they cannot afford to pay their college fees.
• After finishing school, 53% of students from low-income families delay or don’t continue their education, while only 11% of higher-income students choose not to enrol.
• According to the EDI report, 12.7% of students with only a high school diploma are living in poverty, and 4.8% of students with a bachelor’s degree also experience poverty.

• As of 2023, students aged 25 who have no degree earn an average of $899 per week, while the unemployment rate for those without a college degree is 5.5%. College dropouts earn 35% less annually compared to college graduates.
• Furthermore, low-income students face difficulty keeping up with the costs of education.
• Only 42% of low-income students are likely to pursue an associate degree, and 32% are more likely to go for a bachelor’s degree. Among low-income students, 51% choose two-year or shorter programs.
• 28% of low-income students attend public colleges, 18% attend community colleges, and 2% attend for-profit colleges.
• In contrast, 54% of higher-income students go to public colleges, 26% attend private colleges, 18% choose community colleges, and 2% attend for-profit colleges.
• This shows a clear difference in the types of schools low- and high-income students attend, with financial challenges affecting their choices.

College Dropout Retention Rate

First-Year Student Retention:

• On average, 60% of first-time, full-time college students stay in school. This means about 40% of students drop out in their first year.

National Retention Rate:

• The average retention rate across the U.S. is about 71%.

Reasons for Dropping Out:

• 33% of students leave college because they are unable to finish a four-year degree in six years.

Retention Rates in Different Types of Colleges:

• Students at two-year colleges have a retention rate of 81%.
• Schools with open admissions have a retention rate of 62%.
• Colleges with an acceptance rate of less than 25% have a high retention rate of 97%.
• Colleges that accept more than 25% of applicants have a retention rate of 63%.
• Private nonprofit colleges without an open admissions policy have a retention rate of 97%.

Retention Rate at For-Profit Colleges:

• The retention rate at private for-profit colleges is 60%.

The table below displays the retention rates of the students in various four-year organization

Retention Rate for Two-Year Colleges:

• The overall retention rate for two-year colleges is 62%.

Retention Rates at Different Two-Year Colleges:

• The retention rate for public two-year colleges is 65%.
• The retention rate for private for-profit two-year colleges is 66%.

These statistics show the differences in retention rates among various types of two-year colleges, with private for-profit schools having a slightly higher retention rate than public ones.

Community College Dropout Statistics

Graduation Rates at Community Colleges:

• Only 13% of students finish their degree in two years at community colleges.
• Community colleges are a more affordable option for many students who want to try college life. These schools mainly offer technical and job-focused education in the U.S., but they have a high dropout rate.
• Offering more help, such as counselling, tutoring, and financial aid, could increase graduation rates.
• A recent study found that community college graduates earn 30% more than those who only have a high school diploma.

Time to Graduate at Community Colleges:

• More than 85% of students take longer than two years to graduate. About 22% finish in three years, and 28% graduate in four years.
• This shows that less than 30% of students at community colleges earn their degree even after four years.

(Reference: texastribune.org)

Remedial Classes at Community Colleges:

• Over 40% of students at community colleges take remedial classes.
• Most community colleges have placement tests to check how prepared students are for regular college courses.
• However, fewer than 20% of students in remedial classes finish their degree within five years.

Freshman Dropout Rates:

• Around 30% of first-year college students in the U.S. drop out before their second year.
• The overall dropout rate for college students in the U.S. is 40%.

College Completion Rate For The Low-Income Students

• The average cost of college tuition is about $38,270 each year.
• For private four-year colleges, it’s about $55,840 per year.
• For public colleges, the cost ranges from $27,146 for in-state students to $45,708 for out-of-state students.
• Students from low-income families often struggle to afford these costs, which can make it harder for them to finish their degrees.
• A study shows that 52.4% of students with a family income of $35,000 or less do not finish their college degree. This is much higher than the dropout rates for students with associate degrees (11.1%) or bachelor’s degrees (22.9%) combined.

(Reference: research.com)

The dropout rate lowers as family income increases:

1. $35,000 or less: 52.4% dropout.
2. $35,001 to $55,000: 41.8% dropout.
3. $55,001 to $75,000: 37.3% dropout.
4. $75,001 to $115,000: 31.4% dropout.
5. $115,001 and higher: 23.9% dropout.

Graduation Rates:

The percentage of students who earn a bachelor’s degree increases with family income:

#1. $35,000 or less: 22.9% graduate.

#2. $35,001 to $55,000: 30.4% graduate.

#3. $55,001 to $75,000: 38.2% graduate.

#4. $75,001 to $115,000: 41.3% graduate.

#5. $115,001 and higher: 54.5% graduate.

• For families earning $35,000 or less, only 60% of students go to college.
• For families earning $115,000 or more, 82% of students attend college.
• “First-generation students” are those whose parents didn’t attend college. Around 40% of these students think about dropping out or are at risk of not finishing their degree.
• Research shows that colleges themselves don’t disadvantage students from poorer backgrounds. The real challenge is the financial situation and education level of the student’s family, which impacts their chances of success in college.
• In short, family income plays a big part in whether students go to college, stay in college, and graduate, with higher-income families having better results.

Current Trends In The Reduction Of College Dropout Rates

To help reduce the growing number of students dropping out of college, several new trends are being introduced. These trends focus on making education easier to access, more affordable, and more supportive for students. Here are some important trends that are helping students stay in school:

#1. Growth of Online Learning:

Online education is becoming more popular, especially for students who work while studying. Affordable online programs, like budget-friendly online master’s degrees, offer flexibility, allowing students to balance school with work or family responsibilities. This flexibility helps reduce the financial and time pressures that can lead to dropping out.

#2. Tailored Support for Students:

Colleges are providing more personalized help for students. This includes mentorship programs, peer support groups, and academic counselling, all designed to keep students motivated and help them stay on track to graduate.

#3. More Financial Aid Options:

With many students facing financial struggles, colleges are increasing the financial aid they offer. This includes providing more scholarships and grants and lowering tuition costs to ease the burden of student loans, which is a major reason students drop out.

#4. Flexible Study Options:

Schools are offering more flexible ways to study, like part-time classes, online and in-person mixed courses, and easier options for transferring from community colleges. These options make it easier for students who don’t fit the traditional full-time college student role to stay in school.

#5. Early Support for At-Risk Students:

Many universities are starting programs to spot students who might be at risk of dropping out early on. These programs provide help and resources to students before they decide to leave school.

These trends are helping students overcome challenges and stay in school, making sure they get the support they need to finish their education successfully.

Conclusion

Computer science majors have a high dropout rate of 10.7%, while American Indian students aged 16-24 drop out at a rate of 9.9%. In comparison, Asian students in this age group have the lowest dropout rate at only 1.9%. Overall, 32.9% of students drop out of college. About one-third of those who drop out say personal or family issues were the main reasons for leaving, showing that there are many different factors behind why students leave college.

Looking forward, it will be interesting to see if new technologies like AI, online learning, and other efforts to reduce dropouts will help lower the number of students leaving college or if this concerning trend will continue. We have shed enough light on College Dropout Statistics through this article.

Joseph D'Souza

Joseph D'Souza started Coolest Gadgets in 2005 to share his love for tech gadgets. It has since become a popular tech blog, famous for detailed gadget's reviews and companies statistics. Joseph is committed to providing clear, well-researched content, making tech easy to understand for everyone. Coolest Gadgets is a trusted source for tech news, loved by both tech fans and beginners.

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