New data from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) reveals “significant momentum” in the state’s rising college-going rate, with a 2.4 percentage point increase for the class of 2023 compared to the class of 2022.¶
According to a recent THEC report, the college-going rate for the class of 2023 is 56.7 percent, marking the largest year-over-year increase since the launch of the Tennessee Promise scholarship program in 2015. The college-going rate measures the percentage of Tennessee public high school graduates who “seamlessly enroll in postsecondary education” immediately after graduation.¶
“In the fall of 2022, THEC was pleased to work with partners across the state to launch a ‘Momentum Year’ to increase the college-going rate for the class of 2023, to increase adult enrollment in higher education through Tennessee Reconnect, and to improve coordination and alignment in education and workforce training,” said Steven Gentile, THEC’s executive director, in a public statement.¶
“It is gratifying to see those efforts pay off in helping even more Tennessee students and adult learners pursue their dreams and careers with college degrees and workforce credentials beyond high school,” Gentile continued. “However, we know there is still so much more work to do to help ensure every Tennessean has the opportunity for college access and success, which is why we are doubling down on FAFSA completion with the class of 2024 this summer to help more students maximize free financial aid.”¶
The report highlighted disparities between economically disadvantaged students and their peers. Economically disadvantaged students had a 39.3 percent college-going rate, while non-economically disadvantaged students had a 65.3 percent rate. Despite these gaps, the overall increase represents a positive trend for Tennessee’s college enrollment.¶
The report also noted increases across all race/ethnicity and gender groups. White females, Hispanic/Latino males, and female students in the “Other” race/ethnicity category saw college-going rate increases higher than the statewide average of 2.4 percentage points. Additionally, students who participated in the state’s Dual Enrollment Grant program during high school had consistently higher college-going rates than their peers.¶
