A new study titled “National College Progression Rates” was released today. It reported data on which demographic groups of high school students attended college and whether they were retained for a second year.

Two datasets are of particular importance. First, the figure below shows that lower income students are less likely to attend college. Students from low income, rural schools are the least likely to attend college (50%), while students from higher income, low minority, urban schools are the most likely (70%).

Second, students from higher income high schools were more likely to enroll for a second year than those from poorer areas.

Lower income students from rural areas were the least likely to be retained. Overall 4 year colleges had a better retention rate than 2 year schools.