Some College, No Degree: How Many Americans Started College but Never Finished?

Key findings:

Millions of Americans start college with ambition but leave without a degree, creating a large population of adults with some college but no credentials. Understanding who these learners are, how they progress, and where gaps exist can reveal critical insights for education policy, workforce planning, and lifelong learning strategies. From state-level patterns to graduation outcomes by age, gender, and race, this article explores the trends, growth, and disparities shaping college completion in the United States. Whether you’re a journalist, policymaker, or curious reader, the data paints a clear picture of who returns, who stops out, and the factors influencing long-term success in higher education.

National population of adults with some college but no degree

Total number of Americans with some college but no degree

The chart shows the total number of Americans with some college but no degree over time, highlighting how this population has evolved in recent years. By presenting Americans with some college but no degree by year, the data provides a clear baseline for understanding broader Americans with some college but no degree trends and longer-term growth patterns.

• The number of Americans with some college but no degree increased from 39.0 million in 2020 to 43.1 million in 2023, a net rise of about 4.1 million adults.
• Between 2020 and 2021 alone, the SCNC population grew by approximately 1.4 million people, marking a sharp year-over-year increase.
• Growth continued each year through 2023, with the total rising by more than 3 million adults between 2021 and 2023, underscoring sustained growth in the number of Americans with some college but no degree.

Number of Americans with some college but no degree by year

These Americans with some college but no degree statistics indicate that the SCNC population is not static but steadily expanding. The consistent upward movement across all observed years reinforces long-term Americans with some college but no degree, suggesting structural rather than temporary factors behind the increase. Understanding the scale of this population is critical, as it frames subsequent discussions around re-enrollment, completion strategies, and the broader implications for higher education and workforce policy.

After establishing the overall size of the population, the next step is to examine how quickly the number of adults with some college but no credentials has been growing year over year.

Growth in the number of adults with some college but no credentials

The chart illustrates the growth rate of adults with some college but no credentials over recent years. By focusing on annual percentage change, it highlights how the pace of expansion has shifted even as the total population continued to increase.

• In 2021, the number of adults with some college but no credentials grew by 3.57%, marking the highest annual growth rate shown.
• Growth remained nearly unchanged in 2022 at 3.58%, indicating sustained momentum year over year.
• By 2023, the growth rate slowed to 2.91%, signaling a deceleration despite continued expansion.

Year-over-year growth of adults with some college but no credentials

The data shows that while the population of adults with some college but no credentials continues to grow, the rate of growth has begun to moderate. Following two consecutive years of growth above 3.5%, the decline to under 3% in 2023 suggests a shift in dynamics rather than a reversal. This slowing growth rate provides important context for evaluating future projections and policy responses related to re-enrollment, completion pathways, and adult learner engagement.

While overall growth rates show how quickly this population is expanding, understanding where adults with some college but no credentials last enrolled provides critical insight into how different parts of the higher education system contribute to this group.

Adults with some college, no credentials by the last sector of enrollment

The chart breaks down adults with some college, no credentials by last sector of enrollment, showing both headcounts and percentage shares over time. By comparing sectors across multiple years, the data highlights how the composition of this population varies between public, private, and online institutions.

• Public 2-year institutions accounted for the largest share, with 24.8 million adults in 2023, representing 57.6% of all adults with some college but no credentials.
• The number of adults last enrolled in public 4-year institutions rose from 6.1 million in 2020 to 7.0 million in 2023, increasing their share from 15.5% to 16.3%.
• Primarily online institutions grew steadily, with enrollment-linked SCNC adults increasing from 1.77 million (4.5%) in 2020 to 2.07 million (4.8%) in 2023.

Where adults with some college, no credentials, last enrolled

Sector	Year	Persons	Share, %
Public 4yr	2020	6,066,403	15.5%
	2021	6,451,429	16.0%
	2022	6,738,793	16.1%
	2023	7,012,717	16.3%
Private nonprofit 4yr	2020	2,672,819	6.8%
	2021	2,758,362	6.8%
	2022	2,882,027	6.9%
	2023	2,952,999	6.9%
Private for-profit 4yr	2020	597,714	1.5%
	2021	660,171	1.6%
	2022	761,304	1.8%
	2023	823,644	1.9%
PAB	2020	4,764,536	12.2%
	2021	4,719,894	11.7%
	2022	4,694,520	11.2%
	2023	4,835,704	11.2%
Public 2yr	2020	22,747,105	58.3%
	2021	23,579,489	58.3%
	2022	24,280,171	58.0%
	2023	24,832,764	57.6%
Primarily online	2020	1,770,015	4.5%
	2021	1,858,790	4.6%
	2022	1,970,312	4.7%
	2023	2,073,650	4.8%

These data show that the population of adults with some college but no credentials is heavily concentrated among those who last attended public 2-year colleges, underscoring the central role of the community college sector. At the same time, gradual increases in the shares associated with public 4-year and primarily online institutions indicate a broadening institutional footprint. Together, these patterns suggest that efforts to re-engage adults with some college but no credentials must account for sector-specific dynamics rather than relying on a single institutional strategy.

After examining how adults with some college but no credentials are distributed across higher education sectors, the analysis now turns to how this population is spread geographically across U.S. states.

State-by-state overview of SCNC adults and potential degree completers

Some college no credentials by the state

The chart presents SCNC statistics by state, showing the number of adults with some college but no credentials from 2020 through 2023. By comparing states over time, the data provides important context alongside broader indicators such as higher education attainment by state, dropout rates by state, and the evolving enrollment cliff by state.

• California had the largest population of adults with some college but no credentials, increasing from 6.36 million in 2020 to 7.07 million in 2023, an absolute rise of more than 700,000 adults.
• Texas followed a similar upward trajectory, with the SCNC population growing from 2.50 million in 2020 to 2.83 million in 2023, an increase of roughly 330,000 adults.
• Among mid-sized states, Florida saw consistent growth, rising from 1.60 million adults in 2020 to 1.79 million in 2023, reflecting steady year-over-year expansion.

SCNC statistics by state: adults with some college, no credentials

State	SCNC (2020), persons	SCNC (2021), persons	SCNC (2022), persons	SCNC (2023), persons
Alabama	450,300	469,488	486,986	500,669
Alaska	117,912	121,035	122,972	125,161
Arizona	681,252	726,293	771,299	811,150
Arkansas	304,513	314,843	323,989	330,745
California	6,360,375	6,612,278	6,875,620	7,066,226
Colorado	707,584	726,076	747,726	767,069
Connecticut	373,312	384,799	398,236	406,718
D.C.	36,575	38,618	40,373	41,911
Delaware	63,522	68,540	73,785	78,250
Florida	1,596,975	1,661,306	1,731,032	1,791,304
Georgia	744,495	773,228	805,839	835,362
Hawaii	96,224	99,625	103,391	107,393
Idaho	181,897	190,536	199,536	210,224
Illinois	1,892,039	1,942,815	1,987,689	2,030,908
Indiana	745,358	769,286	794,399	812,661
Iowa	374,653	386,692	398,264	407,603
Kansas	381,941	398,413	413,403	425,581
Kentucky	592,803	611,023	627,180	640,782
Louisiana	462,882	478,853	496,443	511,095
Maine	132,459	137,281	143,166	148,717
Maryland	613,138	635,665	661,178	680,815
Massachusetts	695,898	719,985	744,130	766,425
Michigan	1,127,317	1,159,852	1,190,601	1,229,211
Minnesota	594,996	612,294	629,497	647,685
Mississippi	316,491	328,330	341,249	349,410
Missouri	655,908	678,566	699,157	758,438
Montana	110,090	113,914	117,854	121,123
Nebraska	307,345	315,301	322,425	329,685
Nevada	371,384	383,036	394,841	404,999
New Hampshire	99,823	102,777	106,102	108,951
New Jersey	766,459	792,527	819,264	840,502
New Mexico	291,443	301,215	311,079	316,984
New York	1,948,109	2,011,385	2,078,394	2,136,652
North Carolina	1,080,138	1,109,025	1,139,715	1,167,532
North Dakota	72,725	75,358	78,343	80,780
Ohio	1,363,710	1,398,230	1,435,371	1,467,990
Oklahoma	403,289	418,509	434,825	447,333
Oregon	773,080	791,143	810,344	825,313
Pennsylvania	1,087,555	1,121,313	1,153,948	1,190,108
Rhode Island	125,883	129,361	135,349	138,536
South Carolina	472,043	487,205	503,476	515,694
South Dakota	67,022	69,787	72,773	75,301
Tennessee	612,326	635,828	659,990	679,802
Texas	2,501,802	2,614,007	2,728,589	2,832,320
Utah	386,318	400,221	414,987	432,319
Vermont	64,723	66,956	69,005	74,549
Virginia	924,765	954,052	983,277	1,058,458
Washington	1,124,642	1,160,584	1,195,938	1,225,573
West Virginia	185,449	192,168	197,889	202,601
Wisconsin	721,678	744,153	761,681	779,221
Wyoming	94,687	97,491	99,652	104,459

These data highlight substantial variation in the size of the SCNC population across states, driven largely by overall population scale and higher education participation patterns. Large states account for the highest absolute numbers, but nearly every state shows consistent growth over the four years, reinforcing the national scope of the issue. Viewed alongside measures such as the percent of adults with college degrees by state and the immediate college enrollment rate by state, the distribution of adults with some college but no credentials underscores the importance of state-level strategies when addressing attainment gaps and enrollment challenges.

While state-level data shows where adults with some college but no credentials are concentrated geographically, examining gender composition helps clarify who makes up this population nationally.

Demographic breakdown of adults with some college experience

Some college no credentials by gender

The chart shows the gender distribution of adults with some college, no credentials, over time, broken down into male, female, and unknown or missing categories. This view provides demographic context that complements broader measures such as the percentage of American adults with college degrees and the percentage of us adults with college degrees.

• In 2023, female adults accounted for 45.7% of adults with some college no credentials, slightly exceeding the 45.3% share for males.
• The male share remained highly stable, increasing marginally from 45.2% in 2020 to 45.3% in 2023.
• The unknown or missing gender category rose steadily from 8.7% in 2020 to 9.0% in 2023, indicating a small but consistent increase in unclassified records.

Gender distribution of adults with some college, no credentials

The gender distribution of adults with some college, no credentials has remained remarkably stable over the four years, with near parity between men and women. Small shifts over time suggest that growth in this population has been broadly balanced across genders rather than driven by one group. Placed alongside benchmarks such as the number of adults with college degrees and the percentage of us citizens who have a college degree, these data indicate that gender differences play a limited role in explaining changes in the overall size of the SCNC population.

Beyond gender patterns, examining racial composition provides additional insight into which communities are most represented among adults with some college but no credentials.

Some college, no credentials by race

The chart breaks down adults with some college, no credentials by race, showing both absolute counts and percentage shares from 2020 to 2023. By tracking changes over time, the data highlights how the racial makeup of this population has shifted as overall numbers increased.

• White adults remained the largest identified racial group, increasing from 2.38 million (33.1%) in 2020 to 3.72 million (33.4%) in 2023.
• The Hispanic population grew steadily, rising from 1.22 million (16.9%) in 2020 to 2.06 million (18.5%) in 2023, representing the largest share increase among major groups.
• The unknown or missing race category declined in share from 27.0% in 2020 to 24.8% in 2023, even as the number of individuals increased from 1.94 million to 2.77 million.

Racial composition of adults with some college, no credentials

Race	Year	Persons	Share, %
White	2020	2,376,992	33.1%
	2021	2,858,687	33.4%
	2022	3,275,094	32.9%
	2023	3,724,030	33.4%
Hispanic	2020	1,216,799	16.9%
	2021	1,501,403	17.5%
	2022	1,778,489	17.9%
	2023	2,060,558	18.5%
Black	2020	1,028,966	14.3%
	2021	1,236,865	14.4%
	2022	1,403,727	14.1%
	2023	1,575,371	14.1%
Asian	2020	177,109	2.5%
	2021	219,684	2.6%
	2022	262,872	2.6%
	2023	302,477	2.7%
Native American	2020	75,829	1.1%
	2021	90,639	1.1%
	2022	103,563	1.0%
	2023	116,133	1.0%
Pacific Islander	2020	25,359	0.4%
	2021	30,512	0.4%
	2022	36,125	0.4%
	2023	40,909	0.4%
Other	2020	350,648	4.9%
	2021	427,788	5.0%
	2022	503,454	5.1%
	2023	570,326	5.1%
Unknown/missing	2020	1,940,098	27.0%
	2021	2,194,378	25.6%
	2022	2,597,070	26.1%
	2023	2,769,974	24.8%

These data show that growth in the SCNC population has occurred across all major racial groups rather than being concentrated in a single segment. At the same time, differences in growth rates have gradually reshaped the overall composition, with Hispanic adults accounting for a growing share of the total. The declining proportional share of unknown or missing race suggests incremental improvements in data coverage, which is important for accurately assessing disparities and targeting policy responses.

After examining racial composition, the next dimension to consider is age, which helps clarify when individuals with some college but no credentials most recently engaged with higher education.

Some college, no credentials bythe  age of last enrollment

The chart shows adults with some college, no credentials, by age of last enrollment, combining both population counts and percentage shares over time. By tracking age groups from recent enrollees to older adults, the data illustrates how this population is distributed across different life stages.

• Adults aged 20 to 24 consistently represented the largest group, increasing from 10.86 million (27.8%) in 2020 to 12.03 million (27.9%) in 2023.
• The 18 to 19-year-old age group grew from 6.18 million in 2020 to 7.20 million in 2023, raising its share from 15.8% to 16.7%.
• Adults aged 45 to 64 increased in number from 5.49 million to 5.82 million between 2020 and 2023, even as their share declined slightly from 14.1% to 13.5%.

Age distribution of adults with some college, no credentials

Age	Year	Persons	Share, %
18 to 19	2020	6,178,718	15.8%
	2021	6,523,680	16.1%
	2022	6,921,014	16.5%
	2023	7,201,858	16.7%
20 to 24	2020	10,861,391	27.8%
	2021	11,256,239	27.8%
	2022	11,677,907	27.9%
	2023	12,025,871	27.9%
25 to 34	2020	8,949,412	22.9%
	2021	9,204,256	22.8%
	2022	9,469,731	22.6%
	2023	9,721,787	22.6%
35 to 44	2020	5,360,044	13.7%
	2021	5,485,382	13.6%
	2022	5,607,453	13.4%
	2023	5,733,053	13.3%
45 to 64	2020	5,488,106	14.1%
	2021	5,614,698	13.9%
	2022	5,721,508	13.7%
	2023	5,820,686	13.5%
Over 65	2020	716,059	1.8%
	2021	742,438	1.8%
	2022	764,882	1.8%
	2023	780,182	1.8%
Unknown/Missing	2020	1,486,369	3.8%
	2021	1,605,419	4.0%
	2022	1,718,990	4.1%
	2023	1,815,383	4.2%

These data indicate that adults with some college but no credentials are concentrated primarily among younger age groups, particularly those under 35 at the time of last enrollment. At the same time, substantial numbers of individuals appear across all age ranges, including more than 5.8 million adults aged 45 to 64 in 2023. The presence of both recent enrollees and older adults underscores that some college no credentials is not solely a short-term outcome but often a long-term status spanning multiple stages of adulthood.

While overall growth in the population with some college but no credentials highlights the scale of the challenge, the next critical question is how many of these learners actually return to higher education.

Re-enrollment trends for SCNC adults across states

Re-enrollment rate for adults with some college but no degree across U.S. states

This chart examines the re-enrollment rate for adults with some college but no degree across U.S. states over three academic years, from AY 2021-22 to AY 2023-24. The data highlights meaningful variation in the percentage of SCNC learners who re-enroll, reflecting differences in state policies, outreach strategies, and learner support structures.

• In AY 2023-24, the percentage of SCNC learners who re-enroll ranged from 1.8% in Oregon to 4.0% in Utah, indicating more than a twofold gap across states.
• Several states showed steady gains over time, including Maryland, where the re-enrollment rate for adults with some college but no degree increased from 3.4% in AY 2021-22 to 3.9% in AY 2023-24.
• Looking specifically at the re-enrollment rate for adults with some college but no degree in 2022, values clustered tightly, with many large states such as California and Florida reporting rates between 2.6% and 2.7%.

Percentage of SCNC learners who re-enroll: state-level trends since 2021

State	AY 2021-22, %	AY 2022-23, %	AY 2023-24, %
Alabama	2.8%	2.8%	2.9%
Alaska	2.5%	2.4%	2.5%
Arizona	3.6%	3.8%	3.9%
Arkansas	2.5%	2.6%	2.6%
California	2.4%	2.7%	2.9%
Colorado	2.1%	2.2%	2.3%
Connecticut	1.8%	2.0%	1.9%
District of Columbia	2.4%	2.6%	2.7%
Delaware	3.0%	3.3%	3.5%
Florida	2.6%	2.6%	2.8%
Georgia	2.9%	3.0%	3.3%
Hawaii	2.7%	2.7%	2.7%
Idaho	3.2%	3.2%	3.5%
Illinois	1.8%	1.9%	2.0%
Indiana	2.1%	2.3%	2.4%
Iowa	1.8%	1.9%	1.9%
Kansas	2.6%	2.6%	2.7%
Kentucky	2.3%	2.5%	2.5%
Louisiana	2.5%	2.8%	2.7%
Maine	2.0%	2.3%	2.3%
Maryland	3.4%	3.6%	3.9%
Massachusetts	2.0%	2.1%	2.5%
Michigan	2.4%	2.2%	2.4%
Minnesota	1.9%	1.8%	1.9%
Mississippi	2.4%	2.6%	2.8%
Missouri	2.1%	2.2%	2.3%
Montana	2.2%	2.1%	2.1%
Nebraska	2.1%	2.1%	2.2%
Nevada	2.1%	2.2%	2.2%
New Hampshire	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%
New Jersey	2.1%	2.2%	2.3%
New Mexico	2.8%	3.1%	2.9%
New York	2.0%	2.1%	2.2%
North Carolina	2.6%	2.6%	2.7%
North Dakota	2.4%	2.3%	2.1%
Ohio	1.9%	2.0%	2.1%
Oklahoma	2.7%	2.9%	2.6%
Oregon	1.7%	1.8%	1.8%
Pennsylvania	1.9%	1.9%	2.0%
Rhode Island	2.1%	2.4%	2.6%
South Carolina	2.7%	2.9%	2.9%
South Dakota	2.1%	2.2%	2.3%
Tennessee	2.2%	2.3%	2.3%
Texas	3.1%	3.0%	3.1%
Utah	3.7%	3.5%	4.0%
Vermont	2.7%	2.5%	2.6%
Virginia	2.5%	2.5%	2.7%
Washington	1.9%	1.9%	2.0%
West Virginia	2.1%	2.3%	2.2%
Wisconsin	2.2%	2.2%	2.3%
Wyoming	2.3%	2.3%	2.1%

Overall, re-enrollment among SCNC learners remains relatively low nationwide, with most states reporting rates between 2% and 3% even in the most recent academic year. The limited upward movement in the percentage of scnc learners who re enroll 2022 and beyond suggests that systemic barriers, often overlapping with factors tied to the dropout rate for first-generation college students, continue to constrain re-entry into higher education. Without targeted, scalable interventions, these modest re-enrollment levels are unlikely to offset the growing population of adults with some college but no degree.

After examining re-enrollment dynamics among learners with some college but no credential, it is equally important to assess long-term completion outcomes within traditional four-year degree pathways.

Graduation rates in U.S. four-year colleges

Graduation in 4-year programs total

This chart presents college graduation rates by year for students entering four-year programs, tracking completion within four, five, and six years. The data provides context for understanding the average graduation rate for 4-year college programs and how extended time-to-degree affects overall completion outcomes.

• For students entering in 1996, the six-year graduation rate was 55.4%, compared with 64.5% for the 2017 cohort, reflecting a 9.1 percentage point increase over time.
• The share of students graduating within four years rose steadily, from 33.7% in 1996 to 49.1% for the 2016 and 2017 cohorts, narrowing the gap between on-time and extended completion.
• Among recent cohorts, what percentage of college students graduate in 6 years consistently exceeded 64%, with the peak reaching 64.6% for students entering in 2015 and 2016.

College graduation rates by year in four-year programs

Year of entry	Within 4 years, %	Within 5 years, %	Within 6 years, %
1996	33.7%	50.2%	55.4%
2000	36.1%	52.6%	57.6%
2002	36.6%	52.6%	57.4%
2003	37.0%	53.2%	57.8%
2004	38.0%	54.1%	58.4%
2005	38.3%	54.2%	58.6%
2006	39.1%	54.9%	59.2%
2007	39.4%	55.1%	59.4%
2008	39.8%	55.4%	59.6%
2009	39.9%	55.3%	59.4%
2010	40.7%	55.8%	59.7%
2011	41.6%	56.6%	60.4%
2012	43.7%	58.7%	62.4%
2013	45.3%	59.9%	63.4%
2014	46.6%	60.6%	64.0%
2015	47.7%	61.4%	64.6%
2016	49.1%	61.8%	64.6%
2017	49.1%	61.7%	64.5%

Overall, the six-year graduation rate of four-year colleges has shown sustained improvement across successive cohorts, indicating stronger student persistence and institutional support. The upward movement in four-, five-, and six-year completion underscores positive six-year graduation rate trends, even as a significant share of students continue to rely on extended timeframes to earn a degree. Despite these gains, the data suggests that accelerating time-to-degree remains a key lever for further improving the average graduation rate for 4 year college programs nationwide.

While overall graduation rates in four-year programs have improved over time, a closer look by gender reveals persistent differences in how quickly and consistently students complete their degrees.

Graduation outcomes in four-year programs by gender

This chart breaks down graduation outcomes in four-year programs by gender, tracking completion within four, five, and six years across multiple entry cohorts. The data highlights how male and female students progress differently through degree timelines, offering deeper insight into long-term completion patterns.

• For the 2017 entry cohort, the six-year graduation rate reached 67.5% for female students, compared with 60.9% for male students, a 6.6 percentage point gap.
• Female students consistently outperformed male students in four-year completion, rising from 38.0% in 1996 to 53.8% in 2017, while male four-year graduation increased from 28.5% to 43.4% over the same period.
• The gender gap in six-year completion widened slightly over time, growing from 6.2 percentage points in 1996 (58.2% female vs. 52.0% male) to 6.6 percentage points in 2017.

Gender gaps in four-year college graduation rates

Year of entry	Male within 4 years, %	Male within 5 years, %	Male within 6 years, %	Female within 4 years, %	Female within 5 years, %	Female within 6 years, %
1996	28.5%	46.2%	52.0%	38.0%	53.6%	58.2%
2000	31.1%	49.0%	54.3%	40.1%	55.6%	60.2%
2002	31.4%	49.0%	54.4%	40.8%	55.6%	59.9%
2003	32.2%	49.9%	55.1%	41.0%	55.9%	60.0%
2004	33.0%	50.6%	55.6%	42.2%	56.9%	60.7%
2005	33.5%	50.9%	56.0%	42.2%	56.8%	60.8%
2006	34.3%	51.6%	56.5%	43.1%	57.6%	61.4%
2007	34.5%	51.6%	56.5%	43.5%	58.1%	61.9%
2008	34.8%	51.6%	56.5%	44.0%	58.5%	62.3%
2009	34.7%	51.5%	56.2%	44.2%	58.4%	62.1%
2010	35.6%	52.1%	56.5%	45.1%	58.9%	62.3%
2011	36.5%	52.9%	57.3%	45.9%	59.7%	63.0%
2012	38.2%	54.7%	59.0%	48.4%	62.0%	65.3%
2013	39.7%	55.9%	59.9%	50.0%	63.3%	66.3%
2014	41.0%	56.5%	60.5%	51.3%	64.0%	67.0%
2015	42.2%	57.5%	61.2%	52.3%	64.7%	67.4%
2016	43.4%	57.7%	61.1%	53.7%	65.1%	67.5%
2017	43.4%	57.5%	60.9%	53.8%	65.0%	67.5%

Across all cohorts, female students demonstrate higher graduation rates than male students within four-, five-, and six-year timeframes. Although both genders show steady improvement in degree completion since the late 1990s, the persistent gap suggests structural or behavioral differences affecting student persistence. Overall, the data indicate that closing the gender gap remains a critical factor for improving aggregate graduation outcomes in four-year programs.

Examining overall graduation trends by gender highlights one dimension of disparity, but completion outcomes also vary substantially across racial and ethnic groups.

Four-year graduation rates by race in U.S. colleges

This chart displays graduation within 4 years in 4-year programs by race, showing the percentage of students completing their degrees on time across multiple entry cohorts. The data illustrate significant differences in on-time graduation rates among racial groups, reflecting systemic challenges and inequities within higher education.

• For the 2017 cohort, Asian students had the highest four-year graduation rate at 60.9%, compared with 28.6% for American Indian/Alaska Native students, highlighting a more than twofold disparity.
• Hispanic students increased their four-year graduation rate from 22.8% in 1996 to 40.8% in 2017, showing consistent improvement over two decades.
• White students maintained a strong on-time completion rate, rising from 41.7% in 1996 to 53.6% in 2017, while Black students reached 29.8% in 2017, indicating persistent racial gaps.

Race-based differences in on-time graduation for four-year programs

Year of entry	American Indian/Alaska Native, %	Asian, %	Black, %	Hispanic, %	Pacific Islander, %	White, %	Two or more races, %	Nonresident, %
1996	18.8%		19.5%	22.8%		36.3%		41.7%
2000	21.0%		21.2%	25.8%		38.9%		41.9%
2002	20.6%		20.5%	26.6%		39.6%		39.1%
2003	20.6%		20.2%	26.7%		40.2%		39.4%
2004	21.8%		20.5%	27.9%		41.3%		43.7%
2005	21.8%	45.5%	20.2%	28.2%	22.2%	41.8%	44.1%	44.0%
2006	21.9%	46.4%	20.6%	29.3%	24.2%	42.7%	46.6%	44.1%
2007	23.0%	46.7%	20.8%	29.8%	25.9%	43.3%	49.1%	44.6%
2008	23.0%	47.7%	21.4%	30.4%	26.7%	43.7%	46.5%	46.4%
2009	24.0%	49.5%	20.6%	30.7%	26.7%	44.2%	41.0%	49.1%
2010	22.7%	50.2%	21.2%	31.7%	31.0%	45.4%	39.6%	50.1%
2011	21.6%	50.7%	21.6%	32.5%	31.0%	46.4%	38.3%	50.8%
2012	24.5%	52.6%	23.8%	34.1%	31.6%	48.3%	39.3%	51.9%
2013	26.2%	54.0%	25.7%	35.7%	33.9%	49.8%	41.0%	52.8%
2014	27.1%	55.9%	27.2%	37.4%	34.4%	51.2%	42.6%	53.5%
2015	28.3%	57.5%	28.2%	38.4%	35.8%	52.4%	43.4%	55.1%
2016	28.7%	60.0%	29.7%	40.4%	36.0%	53.6%	44.7%	56.6%
2017	28.6%	60.9%	29.8%	40.8%	35.1%	53.6%	45.0%	56.5%

Overall, graduation within four years in four-year programs varies significantly by race, with Asian and White students consistently achieving higher rates than Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native students. Although all groups have shown improvement over time, the data reveal persistent disparities that likely reflect differences in access to resources, institutional support, and socio-economic factors. Addressing these gaps is critical for promoting equity and improving overall graduation outcomes in U.S. higher education.

While four-year graduation rates highlight on-time completion, examining five-year outcomes provides a fuller picture of student persistence across racial groups.

Five-year graduation outcomes by race in four-year programs

This chart presents graduation within 5 years in 4-year programs by race, showing the percentage of students completing their degrees within an extended timeline. The data illustrate that although additional time improves completion rates for all groups, significant racial disparities remain across cohorts.

• For the 2017 entry cohort, Asian students had the highest five-year graduation rate at 75.1%, compared with 38.1% for American Indian/Alaska Native students, showing a 37 percentage point gap.
• White students reached a five-year graduation rate of 65.7% in 2017, while Black students completed at 42.0%, reflecting persistent disparities over time.
• Hispanic students improved from 38.9% in 1996 to 54.8% in 2017, demonstrating steady gains in five-year completion rates.

Race disparities in five-year college completion rates

Year of entry	American Indian/Alaska Native, %	Asian, %	Black, %	Hispanic, %	Pacific Islander, %	White, %	Two or more races, %	Nonresident, %
1996	33.3%		33.3%	38.9%		53.3%		54.3%
2000	35.1%		36.0%	42.4%		55.7%		55.2%
2002	34.0%		34.4%	42.7%		56.0%		51.0%
2003	33.7%		34.2%	43.0%		56.9%		52.1%
2004	34.7%		34.5%	44.0%		57.7%		57.2%
2005	34.7%	63.6%	34.2%	44.6%	40.6%	58.0%	58.6%	58.1%
2006	35.6%	64.9%	34.9%	45.8%	41.7%	58.7%	61.8%	59.0%
2007	36.3%	64.7%	35.4%	46.4%	42.7%	59.1%	63.9%	58.9%
2008	36.3%	65.7%	35.7%	47.1%	43.7%	59.5%	60.6%	60.9%
2009	36.9%	67.7%	34.3%	47.6%	42.2%	59.7%	54.8%	64.0%
2010	34.6%	68.1%	34.7%	48.8%	46.5%	60.4%	55.2%	65.4%
2011	33.9%	68.9%	35.4%	49.4%	44.3%	61.1%	53.1%	66.2%
2012	36.2%	70.5%	37.9%	51.4%	45.6%	62.8%	53.9%	67.2%
2013	37.5%	71.5%	40.2%	52.7%	49.1%	63.8%	55.6%	68.2%
2014	38.4%	72.5%	41.0%	53.8%	48.5%	64.5%	55.8%	67.9%
2015	40.0%	73.8%	41.9%	54.6%	49.5%	65.3%	56.8%	69.3%
2016	39.7%	74.7%	42.5%	55.3%	48.1%	65.6%	57.4%	69.9%
2017	38.1%	75.1%	42.0%	54.8%	47.3%	65.7%	57.4%	70.2%

Graduation within five years shows higher completion rates than four-year outcomes for all racial groups, but substantial gaps persist between Asian and White students compared with American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students. Over time, all groups show gradual improvement, indicating that extended timelines can help more students finish their degrees. Addressing systemic barriers remains essential to closing racial disparities and ensuring equitable graduation outcomes in U.S. four-year programs.

Building on five-year graduation outcomes, six-year completion rates provide a more comprehensive view of degree attainment across racial groups.

Six-year graduation rates by race in four-year programs

This chart presents graduation within 6 years in 4-year programs by race, highlighting the percentage of students completing their degrees over an extended timeline. The data demonstrates both improvements over time and persistent disparities between racial groups.

• For the 2017 entry cohort, Asian students had the highest six-year graduation rate at 78.3%, compared with 41.3% for American Indian/Alaska Native students, indicating a 37 percentage point gap.
• White students reached a six-year graduation rate of 68.1% in 2017, while Black students completed at 45.4%, showing ongoing disparities in long-term completion.
• Hispanic students increased from 45.7% in 1996 to 58.6% in 2017, reflecting steady improvement in six-year graduation outcomes.

Long-term college completion by race: Six-year outcomes

Year of entry	American Indian/Alaska Native, %	Asian, %	Black, %	Hispanic, %	Pacific Islander, %	White, %	Two or more races, %	Nonresident, %
1996	38.0%		38.9%	45.7%		58.1%		58.0%
2000	40.2%		42.1%	49.1%		60.2%		59.6%
2002	38.4%		40.2%	49.0%		60.4%		55.4%
2003	38.7%		39.5%	49.1%		61.1%		56.1%
2004	39.4%		39.6%	50.2%		61.6%		61.6%
2005	39.3%	69.6%	39.5%	51.0%	48.3%	62.0%	64.2%	62.6%
2006	40.2%	70.6%	40.2%	51.9%	48.5%	62.5%	66.6%	63.6%
2007	40.6%	70.5%	40.7%	52.5%	49.5%	62.9%	67.8%	63.9%
2008	41.0%	71.2%	40.9%	53.5%	49.9%	63.2%	65.2%	65.7%
2009	41.2%	73.0%	39.5%	53.6%	48.5%	63.3%	59.2%	68.8%
2010	38.5%	73.5%	39.3%	54.3%	50.9%	63.7%	59.4%	70.0%
2011	37.7%	74.1%	39.8%	55.0%	48.8%	64.4%	57.1%	71.0%
2012	40.6%	75.5%	42.4%	56.7%	49.0%	65.9%	57.7%	71.5%
2013	40.8%	76.1%	44.3%	57.9%	53.4%	66.7%	59.3%	72.3%
2014	41.5%	77.0%	45.0%	58.7%	52.3%	67.4%	59.5%	72.1%
2015	43.4%	77.8%	45.7%	59.2%	53.5%	67.9%	60.1%	72.6%
2016	42.6%	78.0%	45.9%	59.3%	51.6%	68.0%	60.5%	72.9%
2017	41.3%	78.3%	45.4%	58.6%	50.5%	68.1%	60.5%	73.5%

Six-year graduation rates show that extended time significantly increases completion for all racial groups, particularly for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Despite gains over time, disparities remain pronounced between Asian and White students compared with American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students. Efforts to support degree completion must continue to address systemic barriers, ensuring equitable long-term outcomes for all racial groups in U.S. four-year programs.

Conclusions

Sources

• Graduation Rate from First Institution Attended for First-Time, Full-Time Bachelor’s Degree-Seeking Students at 4-Year Postsecondary Institutions, by Race/Ethnicity, Time to Completion, Sex, Control of Institution, and Percentage of Applications Accepted: Selected Cohort Entry Years, 1996 through 2017. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d24/tables/dt24_326.10.asp. Accessed 29 December 2025.
• “Some College, No Credential.” National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Home, 4 June 2025, https://nscresearchcenter.org/some-college-no-credential/. Accessed 29 December 2025.