Simplified: Just over half of Sioux Falls School District graduates in the Class of 2021 went on to postsecondary education. It's on par with 2020 numbers, but in general fewer kids are going to college now than they were five years ago.
Why it matters
- The district is comparing its data to a 2016 projection from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projected that by 2026, 65 percent of jobs will require postsecondary education.
- In both 2020 and 2021, 55 percent of graduates went on to postsecondary school. And, if history is any indicator, data from 2014 and 2015 grads shows it's likely an additional 6 percent will enroll at some point in the next couple of years.
- Another noteworthy data point for 2021 grads is that slightly fewer kids chose in-state schools, and out-of-state schools saw an increase in enrollment from Sioux Falls grads.
"You can see that fluctuates," Assistant Superintendent Teresa Boysen said, noting that the out-of-state numbers move slightly up or down year-to-year.
Where do most grads end up?
Looking at the last five years, the most popular schools among Sioux Falls graduates have stayed pretty consistent, Boysen said.
Those are (from most to least):
- University of South Dakota
- South Dakota State University
- Southeast Technical College
- Augustana University
- University of Sioux Falls
- Dakota State University
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- South Dakota School of Mines
- Minnesota State University-Mankato.
How many graduate college?
Looking at the classes of 2014 and 2015, close to 30 percent of enrolled students graduated within four years.
- Another 14 percent and 15 percent, respectively, graduated within six years of enrolling, district data from the National Student Clearinghouse showed.
What happens next?
The district will continue to track where students enroll after high school.
