The total number of certificates and associate's degrees-- postsecondary awards below the bachelor's degree-- increased 28 percent to a total of 1.5 million between 1997 and 2007.
Using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), this Statistics In Brief released by The National Center for Education Statistics within the Institute of Education Sciences describes changes in the number and types of awards conferred over the decade between 1997 and 2007. "Changes in Postsecondary Awards Below the Bachelor’s Degree: 1997 to 2007" reports on changes within fields of study, the types of institutions that confer subbaccalaureate awards, and differences in awards by gender and race/ethnicity. Other findings include:
* Certificates and associate's degrees constitute a large and growing segment of U.S. postsecondary credentials; in 2007, almost 40 percent of undergraduate credentials conferred in postsecondary institutions participating in federal financial aid programs (Title IV) were below the bachelor’s degree.
* While community colleges still account for the largest share of these credentials--58 percent conferred in 2007--the share conferred by private for-profit institutions increased from 24 percent in 1997 to 29 percent in 2007.
* Health care is the most common field of study, accounting for 31 percent of all awards in 2007, and increasing 68 percent over the decade studied.
* Women earned a majority of all certificates and associate's degrees (62 percent in 2007); and the rate of increase in awards to women surpassed that for men.
* The rate of increase in subbaccalaureate awards conferred over the decade was highest for Hispanic students (74 percent), followed by Black students (54 percent); in contrast, awards to White students increased 11 percent.
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