2018 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac highlights progress toward 60x30TX goals

2018 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac highlights progress toward 60x30TX goals

 

Austin, Texas, May 15, 2018 — The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board launched its eighth annual Texas Public Higher Education Almanac today as part of the agency’s core function to promote transparency and accountability among Texas public institutions of higher education. The 2018 Almanac provides higher education facts and performance data that allow users to compare Texas public higher education institutions. The data provide a snapshot of Texas’ progress in achieving goals of the state’s higher education plan, 60x30TX. The Almanac draws from data found in the agency’s accountability system -- long recognized as a “best practice” national model for higher education performance data.

 

“The 2018 Higher Education Almanac shows where we stand today in meeting the 60x30TX goals,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes. “While we have a lot of work ahead of us, these data show that Texas has some real accomplishments to build on. Our statewide university six-year graduation rate is the highest it has ever been.  The University of Texas at San Antonio showed the biggest improvement, going from under 35% in 2002 to 56% in 2017, an increase of nearly 22 percentage points.  Our community colleges help limit debt by charging the third lowest tuition rates among the states.  At South Texas College, for example, only 10% of students graduate with any debt.  At the same time, these data clarify the challenges we face such as helping more economically disadvantaged, minority and male students complete a credential and making developmental education a more effective transition to college-level coursework.”

 

“There is much to be done on behalf of Texas students, and understanding the data in this Almanac is vital to crafting effective strategies to meet the goals of 60x30TX.  When the 86th regular session of the Texas Legislature adjourns just over a year from now, Texas will be nearly one-third of the way toward the conclusion of our 60x30TX plan.  Our higher education leaders must find ways now to get better educational outcomes with their resources. We must stand firm in our commitment to achieving the 60x30TX goals.”

 

Publication of the Texas Public Higher Education Almanac is funded by the Texas Higher Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing higher education access and success for all Texas students.  Copies are distributed to state and federal officeholders, university and college leadership and other higher education stakeholders.  It is available online at: www.thecb.state.tx.us/almanac.

 

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THECB Mission Statement

The mission of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is to provide leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system and to promote access, affordability, quality, success, and cost efficiency through 60x30TX, resulting in a globally competitive workforce that positions Texas as an international leader.

2018 Key data and information

o             The percent of Texans age 25-34 holding a certificate or degree has increased from 40.3 percent at the beginning of 60x30TX to 42.3 percent two years later. (p.8)

o             The annual number of certificates, associate, bachelor’s and master’s awarded at all Texas higher education institutions has increased by 7.25 percent since the beginning of 60x30TX. (p. 9)

o             Texas graduates who achieved a bachelor’s degree in 2015, and were subsequently employed in Texas, earned an average of $42,499 during their first year after graduation; Texas graduates who achieved an associate’s degree or certificate in 2015, and were subsequently employed in Texas, earned an average of $35,593 and $36,530 respectively during their first year after graduation. (p. 12)

o             Student loan debt as a percentage of first-year wage has decreased from 60 percent to 58.9 percent in the two years since the beginning of 60x30TX (60 percent). (p.10)

o             Nationally, Texas has the third lowest average tuition at public, two-year institutions ($2,017). (p. 6)

o             Texas ranks 21st nationally in average tuition at public, four-year institutions ($8,091). (p. 6)

o             60.9 percent of full-time students enrolled at a public four-year university earned a postsecondary degree within six years. (p. 27)

o             Of every 100 first-time degree seeking students enrolled (full- or part-time) at a public university, 59 students earned a postsecondary degree within six years; 10 students were still enrolled at an institution at the six-year mark. (p. 14)

o             Of every 100 first-time degree seeking students enrolled (full- or part-time) at a public community college, 27 students earned postsecondary degree or certificate within six years; 8 students were still enrolled at an institution at the six-year mark. (p. 14)

o             Of every 100 students who started at a two-year college and transferred to a university, 56 students earned a postsecondary degree within four years of transfer. (p. 16)

o             On average, a full-time public university student needed 4.6 years and completed 13 excess semester credit hours to attain a bachelor’s degree that requires four years and 120 credit hours. (p. 11)

o             Of every 100 students enrolled in the eighth grade in Texas in academic year 2006-07, 76 graduated from high school, 54 enrolled in higher education in Texas, and 22 received a higher education degree or certificate in Texas by August 2016.  Within this group, only 13 percent of the economically disadvantaged students received a degree or certificate, compared to 32 percent of those not economically disadvantaged. (p. 15)

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