We Achieve Our Full Potential

An Estimated

58%

of postsecondary students who enrolled in a Texas institution within one year of graduating

EARN A DEGREE WITHIN 6 YEARS

WHERE DO WE STAND?

Over half (58%) of Central Texas students who enroll in a Texas college or university within one year of graduating from high school in 2017 earned a post- secondary credential within six years. The majority of these students obtained Bachelor’s degrees, but also includes a smaller portion who earned Associates Degrees and Certificates. Data do not include the students who attend postsecondary programs out of state.

Source: E³ Alliance

A FOCUS ON EQUITY

Black high school graduates and Hispanic high school graduates complete postsecondary education programs at lower rates than Asian or White students. For the Class of 2017, 39% of Black and 45% of Hispanic high school graduates completed postsecondary education programs within six years. This is compared to 81% of Asian and 67% of White students. These rates have remained relatively consistent over time.

Source: E³ Alliance

A FOCUS ON EQUITY

Central Texas high school graduates from low-income families have much lower 6-year postsecondary completion rates than graduates from moderate to high-income families. For the Class of 2017, 39% of low-income high school graduates completed a postsecondary program by 2022, compared to 68% of moderate to high-income graduates.

Source: E³ Alliance

WHERE LOCAL STUDENTS GO TO COLLEGE

Almost one-third of the Class of 2019 who enrolled in a Texas postsecondary program within a year of graduating from high school enrolled in Austin Community College. About 11% attended University of Texas at Austin, 10% attended the Texas State University in San Marcos, and about 7% attended Texas A&M-College Station. Over one-half (59%) of students in the Class of 2019 who enrolled in a Texas college within a year of graduating high school enrolled in one of these four institutions.

Source: American Community Survey, 1 Year Estimates

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

In 2023, 65% of Travis County residents over the age of 25 had earned an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or a graduate or professional degree.

LOCAL EFFORTS

The Austin College Access Network (ACAN) is made up of 8 community-based organizations dedicated to improving first generation college success. ACAN brings institutions of higher education from across the region together to share best practices to improve support services, track student trends and identify policies that hinder student success.
The Greater Austin Area My Brother’s Keeper Initiative brings together local partners to develop strategies for improving educational outcomes for boys and young men of color. The local partnership includes Travis County, the City of Austin, Austin ISD, Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, and the University of Texas at Austin.
The Direct-To-College Achievement Plan is a multi-chamber, multi-school district, multi-business compact to commit to enroll 70% of the Class of 2016 directly in higher education.
The Central Texas Student Futures Project, a partnership between the Ray Marshall Center and local school districts, combines surveys of high school seniors with administrative records to assess post-high school outcomes for area graduates.