Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States: 2020 Historical Trend Report

This report, the sixth in this series, brings together again in partnership the Pell Institute with the Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy of the University of Pennsylvania (PennAHEAD). These reports draw from multiple sources of existing data to provide, in one place, indicators that describe trends in equity in postsecondary enrollment, choice, and degree attainment, as well as indicators of college affordability. The purposes of this equity indicators project are to: (1) Report the status of higher education equity in the United States and identify changes over time in measures of equity; (2) Identify policies and practices that promote and hinder progress; and (3) Illustrate the need for increased support of policies, programs, and practices that not only improve overall attainment in higher education but also create greater equity in higher education opportunity and outcomes. As in previous Indicators reports, the data in the 2020 Indicators show persisting inequality in higher education opportunity based on family income, race/ethnicity, parent education, geographic location and dependency status. [For "Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States: 2019 Historical Trend Report," see ED595444.]