Recent high school graduates in college and in the work force

March 30, 2005

In October 2004, 44.8 percent of college students who had graduated from high school in the previous 12 months were either working or looking for work.

[Chart data—TXT]

Among recent high school graduates enrolled in college as full-time students, 42.1 percent were employed or looking for work in October 2004. In contrast, 82.4 percent of part-time college students participated in the labor force.

The labor force participation rate for recent high school graduates enrolled in 4-year institutions was 36.5 percent. In contrast, 61.1 percent of the recent high school graduates enrolled in 2-year institutions were in the labor force.

These data are from the Current Population Survey program. To learn more about the college and work experience of recent high school students, see "College Enrollment and Work Activity of 2004 High School Graduates" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 05-487.