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About Education

The Census Bureau provides information on a variety of educational topics, from educational attainment and school enrollment, to school costs and financing. We collect information from individuals regarding their school experiences, and directly from schools or the government agencies that help manage them. The Census Bureau is also helping educate the public about our census and survey programs, and providing materials to educators who teach statistics.

These data are used to keep track of changing educational qualifications of the population by age, sex and race, and other characteristics, and are used by schools, governments, businesses and the public.

Numerous surveys collect education data, including the American Community Survey, the Current Population Survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, and the Annual Survey of School System Finances. In addition, we collect data through two censuses, the Economic Census and the Census of Governments, and two annual series, County Business Patterns and Nonemployer Statistics.

Subtopics

  • Educational Attainment: Educational attainment refers to the highest degree a person has received or the highest level of education that an individual has completed. This is distinct from the level of school that an individual is attending. The Census Bureau also publishes information about the major field of study in which people completed a bachelor’s degree.
  • School Enrollment: Data on school enrollment captures the population who report being enrolled as a student in a program which leads to a high school diploma or college degree. Schools are designated as either public or private institutions. Except where it is counted separately, home schooling is considered private school. Schools are also separated by levels of education offered, including: nursery or preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, undergraduate college, and graduate school.
  • Public School System Finances: Public school finance data include revenues, expenditures, debt, and assets [cash and security holdings] of elementary and secondary public school systems. Statistics cover school systems in all states and the District of Columbia.
  • School Districts: School districts are public school systems that provide regular, special, and/or vocational education services for children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Public school systems in the United States are locally administrated and their geographic structure varies by state and region. The U.S. has more than 14,000 public school districts and spends more than $500 billion each year (combined spending of federal, state, and local governments).
  • Teaching about Statistics: The Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools program provides free resources for teaching and learning about statistics. Building on the success of the 2010 Census in Schools program, Statistics in Schools is expanding statistical literacy in schools by providing dynamic standards-based content in subjects including math and history. Statistics in Schools supplemental activities align with approved standards.
  • Educational Services: The Educational Services sector (NAICS: 61) comprises establishments that provide instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects by specialized establishments, such as schools, colleges, universities, and training centers. These establishments may be privately owned and operated for profit or not for profit, or they may be publicly owned and operated. They may also offer food and/or accommodation services to their students.

Contact Us

For assistance, please contact the Census Call Center at 1-800-923-8282 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov for further information.

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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