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Postsecondary Pathways

College education is not the only option facing high school graduates. While some may become productive citizens by joining the workforce or the military, a large majority of young men of color have much more negative outcomes. Examine the six pathways of minority male high school graduates aged 15 to 24 relative to those of their female counterparts.

Postsecondary enrollment is defined as participation in a two-year or four-year college or a vocational school.

The Figures

Number of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in Two-Year or Four-Year College or Vocational School by Race/Ethnicity and Gender, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based
on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

Percentage of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in Two-Year or Two-Year College or Vocational School by Race/Ethnicity and Gender, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based
on U.S. Population Percentages

 

  Male
  Female

Distribution of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in Two-Year or Four-Year College or Vocational School by Race/Ethnicity, Gender and School Type, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based
on U.S. Population Percentages

 

  Graduate School
  Four-year
  Two-year
  Vocational School

Percentage of African American 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in College by Gender and School Type, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

  Male
  Female

Percentage of Asian American 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in College by Gender and School Type, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

  Male
  Female

Percentage of Hispanic 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in College by Gender and School Type, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

  Male
  Female

Percentage of Native American 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in College by Gender and School Type, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based
on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

Percentage of White 15- to 24-Year-Olds Enrolled in College by Gender and School Type, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

  Male
  Female

The Facts

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In 2008, only
33.4%
of male African American high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in postsecondary education in 2008.
In 2008, Asian males accounted for only
46.1%
of all 15-to-24-year-old Asians enrolled in a two-year or four-year college or vocational school.
In 2008, only
33.4%
of male Hispanic high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in postsecondary education.
In 2008, only
8.0%
of male Native American high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in postsecondary education.

One of the postsecondary alternatives to going directly into college after high school is to enlist in the armed forces. Every year, over 300,000 of young men and women take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in order to determine whether they are qualified to enter the United States Armed forces (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard). Candidates are offered enlistment based on their performance on the ASVAB and other more specialized qualifications related to the specific needs of that branch of the military.

The Figures

Non-Prior Service Active Component Enlisted Accessions by Race/Ethnicity, 1973–2008

Source: U.S. Department of Defense,
DMDC, 2008

  African American
  Asian
  Hispanic
  Native American
  White
  Two or More Races
  Other
  All Enlisted

Number of 18- to 24-Year-Old U.S. Armed Forces Enlisted Soldiers by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Deprtment of Defense, DMDC, 2008

  Male
  Female

Percentage of 18- to 24-Year-Old U.S. Armed Forces Enlisted Soldiers by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Deprtment of Defense, DMDC, 2008

  Male
  Female

The Facts

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African American males accounted for
74.3%
African American males accounted for 74.3% of the total African American enlistments of 18- to 24-year-olds in 2008.
in 2008, Asian males accounted for
81.8%
of the total Asian enlistments of 18- to 24-year-olds.
in 2008, Hispanic males accounted for
82.4%
of the total Hispanic enlistments of 18- to 24-year-olds.
in 2008, Native American males accounted for
81.4%
of the total Native American enlistments of 18- to 24-year-olds.

For those high school graduates who do not enter college or the military, one of the available options is to gain lawful employment in the U.S. workforce so that they can become productive citizens of society. In our knowledge economy, there are increasingly fewer jobs available that do not require a postsecondary credential or a college degree, although there are still employment opportunities for those with no degree.

The Figures

Number of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Employed by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

Percentage of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Employed by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

The Facts

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In 2008,
21.1%
of male African American high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were employed.
In 2008, Asian males accounted for only
32.9%
of the total Asian 15- to 24-year-olds employed.
In 2008,
13.6%
of male Hispanic high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were employed.
In 2008,
48%
of male Native American high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were employed.

Although many high school graduates who do not attend college or enlist in the military find jobs, many more do not.

The Figures

Number of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Unemployed by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

Percentage of 15- to 24-Year-Olds Unemployed by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Survey, 2008

* Estimates for Native American based on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

The Facts

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In 2008,
34%
of male African American high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were unemployed.
In 2008,
31%
of male Asian high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were unemployed.
In 2008,
46%
of male Hispanic high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were unemployed.
In 2008,
39%
of male Native American high school graduates ages 15 to 24 were unemployed.

One of the most unfortunate destinations for high school dropouts, students and graduates ages 18-24 is incarceration in state or federal prisons or local jails. This is, however, a real possibility for young people across the country.

The Figures

Prisoners Under the Jurisdiction of State or Federal Prisons, Imprisonment Rates and Incarceration Rates, December 31, 2000–2007 and June 30, 2007 and 2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

  Total Incarcerations
  Federal
  State

Estimated Number of Male and Female Inmates Held in State or Federal Prison, or in Local Jails by Gender, June 30, 2000–2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

  Male
  Female

Number of 18- to 24-Year-Old Inmates in State or Federal Prisons, or in Local Jails, by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

  Male
  Female

Percentage of African American, Hispanic and White 18- to 24-Year-Old Inmates in State or Federal Prisons, or in Local Jails by Gender, 2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

* Estimates for Asian and Native American based on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

Percentage of Male and Female 18- to 24-Year-Old Inmates in State or Federal Prisons, or in Local Jails by Race/Ethnicity, 2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

* Estimates for Asian and Native American based on U.S. Population Percentages

  Male
  Female

Estimated Number of Inmates Held in State or Federal Prison, or in Local Jails, by Gender, Race, and Hispanic Origin, June 30, 2000–2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

  African American
  Hispanic
  White

The Facts

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African Americans accounted for
42%
of all 18-to-24-year-old males incarcerated in 2008, but only 7% of the total male population in this age group.
In 2008,
3.4%
of male Asian high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were incarcerated.
Hispanics accounted for
23%
of all 18-to-24-year-old males incarcerated in 2008, but only 8% of the total male population in this age group.
In 2008,
3%
of male Native American high school graduates aged 15 to 24 were incarcerated.

An early death — natural or violent — is a real possibility for today’s youth; 34,887 18- to 24-year-olds died in 2008.

The Figures

Number of 15- to 24-Year-Old Deaths by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2007

Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, 2010

  Male
  Female

Percentage of 15- to 24-Year-Old Deaths by Gender and Race/Ethnicity, 2007

Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, 2010

  Male
  Female

The Facts

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African American males accounted for
77%
of the total African American 18-to-24-year-old deaths in 2007.
Asian males accounted for
72%
of the total Asian 18-to-24-year-old deaths in 2007.
Hispanic males accounted for
79%
of the total Hispanic 18-to-24-year-old deaths in 2007.
Native American males accounted for
71%
of the total Native American 18-to-24-year-old deaths in 2007.