Statistics: Education in America, 1860-1950

 

Resources Invested in Education

Spending on Education

Spending Per Child 15-19

Percentage of GNP

1860

     $60

     $5.33

1.4

1900

     $503

     $20.53

2.9


 

Improvements in Education

% Illiteracy 10 or older

High School Graduates

College Enrollment

Total

White

Black

1870

20%

11

80

2.0

1.7

1900

11%

6

45

6.4

4.0

 

Proportion of Young Attending School

Average Days Attended By Pupils

Proportion of 17 Year Olds Graduating High School

1870

57

78

2

1890

69

86

3.5

1910

74

113

8.8

1930

81

143

29

1950

82

158

59

 

Percent of 18-21 Year Olds Attending College

Percent of Adult Population Illiterate

1870

1.7%

20%

1890

3.0%

13%

1910

5.1%

8%

1930

12.4%

4%

1950

29.9%

3%