Last year just over 2.5 million students graduated from high schools in the United States. Approximately 1.57 million (nearly 62 percent) of these graduates entered college in September. The entry of these students into colleges and universities pushed college-level enrollments to just over 15 million students. While more than six out of ten students continue on to college, just over a third of high school graduates do not. So you may be wondering, who goes to college and where?
Is there a seat for everyone?
There are more than 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities across the United States. Admission selectivity in these institutions ranges from being very highly admitting all applicants on a space available basis. While some schools have to turn away qualified applicants because their class is full, many more institutions start each academic year with empty seats. Given the number of institutions and the total number of seats available, it seems safe to conclude that there is a seat available for every "qualified student" who wants to go to college.
The fact that there is a seat available, somewhere, for you may be of little consolation if you aren't admitted to one of the colleges you want to attend. One of your major challenges in the college search process comes down to finding a school that you want to attend and that has the space for you. The outcome of the college admission process is under your control - if you apply only to colleges that have freshman profiles showing that the average student has better test scores and grade point averages than you do, you may find that you have few choices once your letters of admission have been issued. On the other hand, if you pick a range of institutions with respect to admission selectivity, you are likely to have the opportunity to choose from among several institutions that want you.
A lot of these colleges are really expensive. Should I look only at schools I can afford?
The cost of a single year of college can range from almost nothing to over $40,000 - a daunting amount particularly when you realize that it will take four years to complete an undergraduate degree. The vast majority of American families are unable to pay, out of pocket, the cost of attending a college or university. About 80% of those entering college each fall need some financial aid to make attendance possible. The good news is that there is a tremendous amount of financial aid available to help families meet these costs.
Financial aid comes in many forms and from many different sources. The system of higher education in the United States is committed to making a college education accessible to all qualified persons regardless of their ability to pay. Illustration 1 shows the source and amount of financial aid that was available for students attending college during the 2003-2004 academic year.
Ok, so there is money available, but is there money at the college I want to attend?
Of the $122 billion dollars available, nearly 70% comes from federal government sources. These funds can be used at just about any college or university in the United States. This means that as a prospective college student you have a good deal of mobility - the ability to select colleges anywhere in the United States and still maintain your eligibility for financial aid.
So who does go to college?
The simple answer is, any high school graduate who wants to. For some this may mean attending a college that was not their first choice, having to borrow a substantial amount of money to cover college costs or attending a college that may offer only the "first portion" of their degree program. As a group, community colleges are generally less expensive than either public or private four-year colleges. They are easier to get into and they typically offer programs that can be transferred to four-year colleges as well as programs designed for those seeking to enter the employment field holding specialized training. For you, the question should not be "Can I go to college," but rather, "Where will I go to college?"