Story Idea: More Hispanics on campuses

From the Census Bureau

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2009

e-mail: pio@census.gov

Hispanics Become More Prevalent on College Campuses

Hispanic students comprised 12 percent of full-time college students (both undergraduate and graduate students) in 2007, up from 10 percent in 2006, according to U.S. Census Bureau tables released today. Hispanics comprise 15 percent of the nation's total population.

School Enrollment in the United States: 2007 contains eight detailed tables based on statistics collected in the October School Enrollment Supplement to the Current Population Survey. The national-level data are shown by characteristics such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, family income, type of college, employment status and vocational course enrollment.

Women continue their majority status, comprising 55 percent of undergraduates and 60 percent of graduate students.

Other highlights:

• In 2007, 53 percent of Hispanic 4-year-olds were enrolled in nursery school, up from 43 percent in 1997 and 21 percent in 1987.
• In 2007, 27 percent of the population 3 or older were enrolled in classes -- from nursery school to graduate studies.
• More than half (59 percent) of all 4-year-olds and 39 percent of 3-year-olds were enrolled in nursery school.
• Students in grades one through 12 made up 64 percent of people 3 and older enrolled in school.
• Students 35 or older comprised 15 percent of people enrolled in college. They made up 7 percent of the full-time college students and 36 percent of those attending part time.

Editors note: The information can be accessed at http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/school.html.

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