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US Sinks Like a Stone in College Grad Rankings

Now in first place: Canada

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2010 8:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – So along with chronic social networking and oversharing, America's newest generation of young adults has another distinction: Possibly the first to be less-educated than their parents. The US has plummeted from first to 12th place among nations with the highest percentage of 25- to 34-year-olds with a postsecondary degree. Blame Canada, which took first place with 55.8%, while the US managed only 40.4%.

The numbers are part of an educators' report headed for Capitol Hill in an effort to hit a 55% graduation rate by 2025, reports the Washington Post. President Obama is spearheading a similar initiative aimed at 2020.

College grads are in the minority among 25- to 34-year-olds.
College grads are in the minority among 25- to 34-year-olds.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Lake High School Valedictorian Katelyn Kranz, center, at graduation ceremonies, Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Lake High School Valedictorian Katelyn Kranz, center, at graduation ceremonies, Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio.   (AP Photo/J.D. Pooley)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 35 comments
Brass
Jul 23, 2010 6:05 AM CDT
I went to college. My best friend didn't; he raced motorcycles till he was 25. Then got a job welding on the Alaska pipeline. Now he owns a fleet of airplanes, has a successful bush pilot service and a very successful hunting & fishing lodge on a couple thousand acres. Another friend went right to work as a draftsman after high school. A few years later passed the boards to become a very successful architect. Me? I owned a printing company for 22 years and bought houses and renovated them. Never used my degree. For most people college is overrated and way too expensive. However I do wish I had gone for a civil engineering degree. Maybe I would have used that.
Desmond White
Jul 22, 2010 1:42 PM CDT
And I thought too many kids were going to college? Could someone please enlighten me? Whenever I hear anything on this subject, it's about how we have too MANY kids enrolled.
zaglossus
Jul 22, 2010 11:28 AM CDT
No surprise - the dumbing down is all around us.

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