2019 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac Highlights Progress Toward 60x30TX Goals

Austin, Texas, May 14, 2019 — The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) launched its ninth annual Texas Public Higher Education Almanac today as part of the agency’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability among Texas public institutions of higher education.

The 2019 Almanac provides higher education facts and performance data that allow users to compare Texas public higher education institutions. The data provide a snapshot of Texas’ progress in achieving goals of the state’s higher education plan, 60x30TX. The Almanac draws from data in the agency’s accountability system — long recognized as a “best practice” national model for higher education performance data.

“The 2019 Higher Education Almanac shows where we stand today in meeting the 60x30TX goals,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes. “As the data on developmental education and college

readiness starkly demonstrate, Texas has some tough numbers to overcome if the state is to reach our goals. But there is ample justification for optimism. The Texas legislature is considering major reforms for K-12 education that would significantly improve college readiness and encourage more high school graduates to enroll in our public colleges and universities. For all our challenges, Texas is on track to achieve the goals of 60x30TX.”

The THECB and the Texas Higher Education Foundation would like to thank all those who dedicated their time, effort and resources to produce this year’s almanac. Investment in both the almanac and the 60x30TX.com website reflects a continued commitment to help ensure data-driven policy discussions and decisions in Texas.

2019 Key Data and Information

• The percent of Texans age 25-34 holding a certificate or degree has increased from 3 percent at the beginning of 60x30TX to 43.5 percent three years later. (p. 7)
• The annual number of certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees awarded at all Texas public higher education institutions in 2018 was 341,307, representing a 63 percent increase since the beginning of 60x30TX. (p. 8)
• Texas graduates who achieved a bachelor’s degree in 2016, and were subsequently employed in Texas, earned an average of $43,203 during their first year after graduation; Texas graduates who achieved an associate degree or certificate in 2016, and were subsequently employed in Texas, earned an average of $33,238 and $37,444 respectively during their first year after graduation. (p. 11)
• The median student loan debt as a percentage of first-year wages has remained steady at about 60 percent in the three years since the beginning of 60x30TX. (p. 9)
• Nationally, Texas has the third-lowest average tuition at public two-year institutions ($2,099). (p. 6) Additional data on Texas trends in tuition and fees compared to state appropriated funds are available on page 46.
• Texas ranks 23rd nationally in average tuition at public four-year institutions ($8,375). (p. 6) Additional data on Texas trends in tuition and fees compared to state appropriated funds are available on page 10.
• 61.6 percent of full-time students enrolled at a public four-year university earned a postsecondary degree within six years. (p. 25) This represents a 4.8% increase in 6-year graduation rates over the last ten years.
• Of every 100 first-time degree seeking students enrolled (full- or part-time) at a public community college, 30 students earned a postsecondary degree or certificate within six years; 4 students were still enrolled at an institution at the six-year (p. 13)
• 23.1 percent of first-time degree seeking students at Texas two-year colleges transferred to a university within 6 years. (p. 15)
• On average, a full-time public university student needed 6 years and completed 12 excess semester credit hours (SCH) to attain a bachelor’s degree that typically requires four years and 120 credit hours. Comparatively, a full-time student needed 3.9 years and completed 27 excess semester credit hours (SCH) on average to attain an associate degree that typically requires two years and 60 credit hours. (p. 10)
• Among students who transferred attempted excess hours averaged 23 SCH, while native students averaged 6 (p. 15)
• Of every 100 students enrolled in the eighth grade in Texas in academic year 2007-08, 78 graduated from high school, 54 enrolled in higher education in Texas, and 23 received a higher education degree or certificate in Texas by August Within this group, only 14 percent of the economically disadvantaged students received a degree or certificate, compared to 33 percent of those not economically disadvantaged. (p. 14)