Post-Secondary Persistence and Completion

Post-secondary enrollment is one thing. Persistence and completion is another. Measurement of these variables are challenging for our high school graduates. We can, however, keep our eye on the changing percentage of adults in Spartanburg County who hold post-secondary degrees.

The Associate’s Degree trend line illustrating the number of Spartanburg County adults 25 and older who hold this degree is growing somewhat; though, relative to state and the national percentages, it is remaining fairly constant.

The Bachelor’s Degree trend line illustrating the number of Spartanburg County adults 25 and older who hold this degree is growing, and gaining both on the state and national percentages, though there was a one-year decline from 23.3% this time last year to the current 22.6%.

Enrollment by types of post-secondary institution among 2013-14 high school graduates is fairly consistent with state-wide patterns, though enrollment in two-year institutions is somewhat higher. This may be accounted for by the number of two-year colleges in and around Spartanburg County and the four-year transfer opportunities they provide.

Spartanburg County

South Carolina

On the positive side, since 2009, Spartanburg County’s rate of growth among bachelor’s degree holders age 25 and above is 18.9%, in contrast to the state’s rate of 8% and the nation’s rate of 7.9%