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U.S. College Completion Rate Inches Up Half a Percentage Point

The country still ranks 16th worldwide in the number of citizens holding a college degree.

From 2009 to 2010, the percentage of Americans who attained a college degree increased by about half a percentage point as the U.S. still ranks 16th in completion rates compared to other countries.

Based on U.S. Census data, the number of adults between the ages of 25 and 34 holding a post-secondary degree increased from 38.8 percent in 2009 to 39.3 percent in 2010, the Huffington Post reported.

According to HuffPo, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is expected to address the college completion issue during a speech before the National Governor’s Association on Friday.

The Indianapolis Star reports that rising tuition costs is one of the several reasons why more young adults aren’t graduating from college. The news site reported that tuition at four-year public universities increased 15 percent between 2008 and 2010.

"We've made some progress, but the combination of deep state budget cuts and rising tuition prices is pushing an affordable college education out of reach for middle-class families," Duncan says in prepared remarks, as reported by The Star.

President Barack Obama’s administration has set a goal that by 2020, 60 percent of adults would be holding a college degree.

Despite the slow pace, HuffPo reported that Duncan is expected to point to the marginal increase in completion rates as a sign that the U.S. is making progress toward that goal.

Andrew Ziemba July 14, 2012 at 01:54 am
"President Barack Obama’s administration has set a goal that by 2020, 60 percent of adults would be holding a college degree." hahahaha wow, what a nutjob!
M Miller July 14, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Gee,
You berate a President who wants to have an educated population and you call HIM a nutjob?
Andrew Ziemba July 15, 2012 at 03:04 am
Well here's the thing M Miller... I think that Obama has abolutely zero authority, knowledge of, or understanding of who in this country wants, or even needs a college degree. The small business owner, plumber, electritian, bartender, janitor, and comcast linesman does not need a college degree. It is beyond silly, and downright absurd to think that anywhere near 60% of the population of adults "needs" a college education. Unless you plan to simply wipe out ALL jobs that do not require a college degree in some dream world?
Anyhow, why stick up for that clown? Most college degrees are WORTHLESS and most recent graduates now have over $50,000 in student loans with ZERO POSSIBILTY OF EVEN FINDING ANY JOB. Speaking as a member of that generation, i can confidently say that even now... WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE THAT WILL DO NOTHING FOR THEM. Anyways, keep drinking the koolaid, it must taste good huh?
Mark July 15, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Andrew, you are completely wrong! Getting a college ed is very important. It makes your chances of finding a high paying job much better than not having a degree. The trades are also a great way to go. These kids will eventually find jobs. That is if we keep the Democrates in office. The Republicans have a history of crapping up the future of Americans. They've offered the choice of Bush, McCain and now Romney. You losers can't do any better than that?!?!?!?!? Vote Obama!
Angela July 15, 2012 at 06:08 pm
Wow Mark, very mature of you to speak in such a manner. You must have gone to college......
Angela July 15, 2012 at 06:18 pm
Andrew is completely right. My boyfriend got his degree 3 years ago in business. He worked his tail off to earn his 3.76 GPA. Guess what, he graduated to a jobless economy. Back when he was in school (Bush years), there were jobs galore.
The only way we can get our economy back is to vote Ron Paul. Romney is as bad as Obama. We as a Country cannot endure 4 years of either. Both are supported by the same contributors such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, CitiGroup, Bank of America, etc. They are both for bailouts and they both represent failure. What we need is to spread awareness of Ron Paul, a consistent candidate who stands for personal freedom, and basically everything the Constitution stands for, unlike Obama who disregards and Romney who is a joke. www.dailypaul.com www.ronpaul2012.com
Andrew Ziemba July 15, 2012 at 06:58 pm
My favorite part about Mark's response is that he assumes that I am a Romney supporter (HA!) and that he assumes that OBAMA is the savior, and that Democrats actually care about the average joe!
Andrew Ziemba July 15, 2012 at 06:59 pm
RON PAUL 2012! Can't wait for the convention WOOT!
Andrew Ziemba July 16, 2012 at 04:11 am
I will admit that I am a bit surprised by your comments. I believe that you yourself just admitted that having a college degree in itself does not make oneself more marketable towards employers, did you not?
The fact remains that despite what the media says, Ron Paul is running for President, and Mitt Romney and Ron Paul will meet up in Tampa, where the nominee will be decided. There is nothing absurd, outrageous, or conspiratorial about this statement as it is fact. I firmly believe that Obama and Romney are extremely similar, and that they both pander to their "team" to get elected. I think it is more than funny, and rather to the point of absurdity that anyone can cheer on Obama passionately after his first term as president... Had he even told the truth on half of what he ran on, I would at least be able to credit his supporters for their beliefs. Instead, I credit his supporters to nothing, while still supporting the guy that lied to them, tricked them, and led them to believe that Romney was any different than he is save perhaps the welfare hand outs which Romney covertly supports anyway as a Massachusetts moderate! Anyway, what's with the vicious personal attacks? Why not bring some facts to the discussion? And also, I won't be surprised or even care if Obama gets elected. The only thing you will be rubbing anywhere is your fingers together to try to make rent money after either one of those clowns gets elected president...
Angela July 16, 2012 at 11:53 am
Wow, Its like Im back in high school again. I agree with you Mark on one thing, Obama will win. The Republicans will never elect Ron Paul because of his foreign policy. And Mitt Romney is a joke, literally, and so that leaves us with the almighty, unconstitutional, everyone get their fair share,take from you and you and give to them, Obama. And whats with the personal attacks? I don't attack you and don't forget, alot of people read this. Its immature and unnecessary. Cant people just have friendly debates anymore? How sad.
Angela July 16, 2012 at 10:13 pm
here we go, mark, I bet you and I would be good friends. seriously.Im the most friendly person ever. I do not attack YOU. By stating opinions about others that do not include you, that is not an attack. You keep doing what you do, and you will see it gets you no where. On a lighter note, Id love to meet you for a coffee and I bet you a million, that you would never be so snide with me again. Or if not, thats cool. Whatever floats your boat sweets.
Angela July 16, 2012 at 10:18 pm
OK, you got me there, friendly debate.......hmmmmm. a debate where someone isn't in a attack mode against another. I state my opinion, you state yours, enough said. I don't take attacks against you personally, and I expect the same. This is what is wrong with this world. Everyone is in attack mode, and it is not cool. That is why nothing gets accomplished ever. So Mark, please be an adult, which I know you are, and share your thoughts, opinions etc, do not act like a 13 year old and try to upset someone, cause you look like the fool .Thanks. <3
Angela July 17, 2012 at 02:05 am
Oh mark. You cease to amaze me. I'd much rather sip coffee with a conservative any day over someone who trash talks a woman like the way you do. Your mom/ wife/ daughters must be so proud, the again you are a preacher of Obama.
Angela July 17, 2012 at 02:09 am
Stop stealing my stuff btw.
Thanks
Andrew Ziemba July 17, 2012 at 02:19 am
LoL the troll is hungry, he wants more food. Troll says feed me. You keep feeding him!
chris July 17, 2012 at 03:22 am
The truth is that a college degree is next to worthless nowadays. Any idiot can graduate college. What needs to happen is for college to be lore exclusive and less accessible to people. Then people with degrees can actually get jobs in their fields of study. Most of the people I know with a college education can barely compose a sentence in proper English. If everyone has a degree then it literally means nothing. Education used to distinguish people from the everyday dolts. Our economy needs gas station attendants and doctors. If the guy selling me my iced tea and Marlboros doesn't have 100k in student loans he's going to be better off and can then use his wage to have a decent standard of living. We need to make it so the brightest have the ability to seek higher education and those not as intelligent are directed to other job markets.

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