Census Bureau Facts for Features
A product of the U.S. Census Bureau's Public Information Office
CB98-FF.09 August 14, 1998 Back to School
Teachers - As of 1996, the United States had 5.6 million teachers, up from 4.0 million in 1983. This total includes 540,000 teaching at the prekindergarten and kindergarten levels, 1.8 million in elementary schools, 1.2 million in secondary schools, 340,000 teaching special education and 890,000 in colleges and universities. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-199.html - In 1996, 44 percent of teachers in colleges and universities were women,up from 36 percent in 1983. In contrast, 74 percent of all other teachers were women, up from 71 percent in 1983. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-199.html - Teachers in the nation's public elementary and secondary schools had an average salary of $37,700 in 1996. Salaries were highest in Connecticut ($50,300) and lowest in South Dakota ($26,300). http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-199.htmlStudents
- Seventy million Americans were enrolled in regular schools (i.e.,schooling leading to a high school diploma or college degree) in October 1996. This included 4.2 million in nursery school, 4.0 million in kindergarten, 31.5 million in elementary school, 15.3 million in high school and 15.2 million in college. The numbers in nursery school and kindergarten are not significantly different from one another, nor are the numbers in high school and college. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - More and more children are getting an early start on their formal schooling. In October 1996, nearly half (48 percent) of 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in either nursery school or kindergarten, up from 39 percent in 1986 and 13 percent in 1966. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - Eleven percent of elementary students and 8 percent of high school students attended private schools in October 1996. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - In October 1996, 5 percent of all high school students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades had dropped out of school. The "dropout pool" of young adults 18-to-24 years old, which consists of those neither enrolled in school nor high school graduates, totaled 3.1 million in October 1996 -- 13 percent of this age group. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - Many students are simultaneously learning and earning. Nearly 3 in 10 high school students ages 15 and over held down a job in October 1996. Of those with jobs, 1 in 10 managed to attend class and work full time. Once students reach college, their likelihood of holding down a job during the school year climbs to more than 6 in 10. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - Forty-four percent of persons ages 18 to 21 were enrolled in college in October 1996. The same was true for 24 percent of 22- to 24-year-olds, 12 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds, 6 percent of 30- to 34-year-olds, and 2 percent of those ages 35 or older. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - In 1996, 2.8 million college students (18 percent of the total) were 35 or older. Seventy-five percent of these older students attended part time, compared to 35 percent of all college students. And 64 percent were women, compared with 55 percent of all college students. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html - More than 450,000 foreign (nonimmigrant) students were enrolled in U.S.colleges and universities in the fall of 1995, up from about 180,000 20 years earlier. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-199.htmlTechnology in the Schools
- During the 1996-97 school year, there were 6.9 million computers in the nation's elementary and secondary schools, or 1 for every 7 students. During the 1984-85 school year, there were a mere 600,000 computers in schools 1 for every 63 students. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-199.htmlGovernment Spending on Education
- New Jersey led all states in the amount of government funds spent per student on elementary and secondary education in 1995 ($8,974). New York ($8,424), Alaska ($8,004) and Connecticut ($7,813) followed. The national average was $5,494. States spending the least per student were Utah ($3,471), Mississippi ($3,791), Tennessee ($3,921) and Idaho ($3,941). http://www.census.gov/govs/www/school.htmlThe Rising Cost of a College Education
- During the 1995-96 school year, tuition, room and board averaged nearly $7,500 at the nation's four-year public colleges and universities and almost $22,500 at their private counterparts, roughly double the respective averages in 1984-85. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-199.htmlGraduation
- Most adults have graduated from school, many more than once. In 1997, 82 percent of the nation's adults, ages 25 and over, had at least a high school diploma, while 24 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher and 8 percent held a graduate degree. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/educ-attn.htmlThe Rewards of Staying in School
1996 Average Money Earnings by Educational Attainment and Sex for Year-Round, Full-Time Workers Ages 18 and Over Men Women Less than 9th grade $20,153 $15,150 9th to 12th grade (no diploma) $25,283 $17,313 High school graduates $32,521 $21,893 Some college, no degree $38,491 $25,889 Associate degree $39,873 $28,403 Bachelor's degree $52,354 $36,555 Master's degree $70,859 $44,471 Doctorate degree $86,436 $62,169 Professional degree $112,873 $90,711 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/cb97-162.html The preceding facts come from the Current Population Survey, the Statistical Abstract of the United States and the Annual Survey of Local Government Finances. The data are subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Previous Facts for Features in 1998 were: African-American History Month (Feb.), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Women's History Month (Mar.), Secretaries' Day (Apr. 22), Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month (May), Mother's Day (May 10), Father's Day (June 21) and the Fourth of July. Questions or comments on this product should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office (Tel: 301-457-3030; Fax: 301- 457-3670; E-mail: pio@census.gov).
