International Comparisons

International and State Comparisons

With the rise of global economic competition, states not only compete with other states but with other countries as well. The competitiveness of a state depends largely on the levels of education of their workforce and the performance of their systems of education. The following links and graphs provide comparisons of U.S. states and countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Selected Data for a Few Key Measures

• Educational Attainment of the Adult Population
• Participation and Completion Rates

Percent of Adults with Associates Degrees or Higher by Age-Group
Leading OECD Countries and the U.S. (2006)

Source: OECD, Education at a Glance (2008)

Percent of Adults Age 25 to 34 Holding an Associate's Degree or Higher (2006)

Source: OECD Education at a Glance; U.S. Census Bureau: American College Survey

Percent of Young Adults Age 18 to 24 Enrolled in College (2006)

Source: OECD Education at a Glance; U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey;
NCES: IPEDS Fall Enrollment Survey

Total Number of Degrees and Certificates Awarded
per 100 Undergraduates Enrolled (2006-07)

Source: OECD Education at a Glance; NCES IPEDS Completions and Fall Enrollment Surveys