Facts About Education In America That Will Blow Your Mind

Martha Martins
Nov 03, 2023 By Martha Martins
Originally Published on Mar 22, 2022
Facts about education in America will surely enlighten you.
?
Age: 3-18
Read time: 8.4 Min

Education in America is indeed fancy with the availability of diverse courses and worldwide recognition.

About 50% of the 100 global universities, which hold the record of top-quality education, are present in the United States of America. A large number of benefits can be obtained by pursuing higher education from public schools and private high school institutes.

Students in America have the opportunity to receive a public school education as well as education from private schools. These schools and colleges also welcome international students who get different scholarships and educational loan facilities. The extraordinary infrastructure and ample facilities provided in high schools and secondary schools make American education famous.

Students from different cultural backgrounds are enrolled in public high school and college programs, which provides them great exposure that ultimately expands their minds. Students get the best learning experience from enhanced technology and research programs offered in private high schools as well as in universities.

Flexible curriculum, theoretical education as well as a practical demonstration of the subject matter augment the knowledge of students to a greater extent. There are certain disadvantages associated with pursuing education in the United States.

Keep reading to learn more about the education system in America and various study opportunities.

Demographics Of American Schools

The majority of the student population in public schools comprises white students and Hispanic students. A racial breakdown of the student population in American schools is listed below.

About 45.8% of the student population in public schools are white students. In the remaining, 28% are Hispanic students, and 15% are black students.

Asian students comprise about 5.4% of the population in public schools. About 4.5% of the students in public schools are of multiple races and ethnicities. About 0.9% of public school students are of Alaskan native or American Indian origins, and 0.4% of the student population are Pacific Islander students.

Teachers in private schools are about 0.5 million, according to a 2019 report, while public schools host about 3.2 million teachers.

Perks Of American Education

Education in the United States is famous for its quality and range of benefits. Below are some of the key perks of American education.

The number one perk of pursuing a degree in the US is getting hold of worldwide recognition. Due to its powerful influence throughout the world and the great fame and high regard, the colleges and universities in America are preferred by students globally.

Getting a degree from any of these is considered a huge accomplishment since most of the professional bodies and large organizations recognize these degrees and give preference to these students.

A flexible curriculum is another reason to opt for education in this country. Schools and colleges provide theoretical as well as practical demonstrations of subject matters, which makes their classroom teaching stand apart.

High schools give students the chance to select their choice of course from a vast subject list. This helps them complete their college degrees with their subject of interest.

Secondary schools offer engaging program schedules that make education interesting and enriching. Their academic year consists of three-quarters terms or two semesters, which provide the students ample amount of time to excel in their subjects before sitting for tests.

Enhanced technology and research programs in private high schools as well as in universities give students the best learning experience. Many schools and university programs offer AI-enabled learning bots that guide students in their studies and help them excel in their subjects.

The extraordinary infrastructure and ample facilities provided in high schools and secondary schools make America a national center of education.

With a diverse cultural and ethnic background, American high school and college education provides students great exposure to these cultures and makes them socially active to expand their minds. Various programs conducted by these institutes offer equality to all, which makes the young minds ready for their future endeavors.

The stunning career advancements come hand in hand with loads of internship opportunities. After completing their college degree or high school year, students can get internships in various fields, wherein they are groomed by the experts of the global marketplace.

They are exposed not only to an actual workplace but get the chance of earning alongside education. This makes them responsible and financially independent at a very early stage of life.

Cons Of American Education

Although America boasts of its outstanding education statistics, there are quite a number of cons of American education, some of which are listed below.

The most noteworthy disadvantage of American education is the high cost of tuition in the majority of colleges, universities, and private high schools. Depending on the course or degree, the average tuition cost here is somewhere between $45,000-50,000 per year, which is way more than in any other country.

While there are a large number of scholarships as well as student loans available, most international students do not get this opportunity due to immigration status and other issues.

This forces students to either drop out of college or not enroll themselves in higher education at all. Further, a majority of these students struggle between work and studies to earn money for their college and tuition fees.

Another major disadvantage arises from the teaching gaps, which mainly arise due to the high level of diversity in various education programs offered by institutes all over the United States. The same field of study is taught in different schools and colleges while following a completely different curriculum.

This gives rise to the discrepancy and creates a significant knowledge gap amongst students. As a result, many employers of reputed organizations set their own preferences of high school and college qualifications.

The majority of well-known US schools and colleges come with high admission requirements along with lengthy procedures of enrollment. Apart from good scores in academics, these universities also look for students with proficiency in extra-curricular activities, including social work.

There are rigorous standardized tests, especially the SATs, that are an integral part of the admission process in these institutes. International students have to clear various entrance tests like TOEFL and IELTS exams to prove their English proficiency.

American education system makes it necessary for all children to complete their elementary education.

Statistics Of American Education

America holds about 130,930 public schools and private schools, among which the total number of elementary schools is 87,498, secondary schools are about 26,727, while the remaining are combined schools and other schools.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average public school size is about 527. Online courses are offered by 21% of public school organizations, while 80% of private schools provide students with a good internet connection and the opportunity to learn online.

New York and Los Angeles host some of the largest and most expensive private schools in the United States.

Over 50.7 million students attend public schools, while 3.3 million students receive charter public school education. About 5,719,990 students attend private schools in America. According to the US Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey, 3.23% of total students receive homeschooling and do not even attend an elementary school or a secondary school.

FAQs

What are the three facts of the United States education system?

The three facts about education in America are:

America ranks 36th in the world in terms of the total number of high school diplomas.

There is a rapid change of teachers in schools and colleges in the US as nearly 33% of new teachers resign by the end of three years.

A large number of students in the US rely on their schools for internet access. However, high-speed internet access is not available for students with poor economic backgrounds.

How is education in America?

The education system in America was good about 30 years ago. Now, it ranks 14th in the world in terms of population percentage bearing higher education, which is only about 42%. With an increasing number of college dropouts, education statistics in the US have drastically gone down.

When does school start in America?

Schools in America start in August or September, and students are usually enrolled at the age of five or six years.

What is the purpose of schooling in the United States?

The purpose of schooling in the United States is to establish a quality education, which will enable all the students to achieve immense heights of success through their highest potential and compete in the dynamic global marketplace.

Where does the US rank in education?

The US ranks second in education.

What is the average education level in America?

According to a study, the average level of education in America is high school.

Why is America so far behind in education?

The main reasons for America to be so far behind in education are:

Government funding deficits affect the infrastructure and quality of education in public schools.

High-profile mass shootings in American schools question the safety of students in school. According to a poll, about 50% of school students are terrified of the possible violence in school.

Technology in public schools is limited, and therefore, poor and middle-class students are deprived of a well-structured education.

How to improve public education in America?

Public education statistics in America are extremely low, which can be improved by sufficient government funding that can help develop the infrastructure of schools and can even provide technology. More qualified teachers should be hired, and more schools should be built for children with disabilities.

Setting a week as 'Education Week' in the school year can also promote higher studies.

How to fix the education system in America?

Government funding can help a lot in improving the education system in America. Lack of funds simply means fewer teachers, reduced resources, and fewer school programs.

Technology should be incorporated side by side with books, and parents should be explained the importance of education during the designated 'Education Week' of the school year. The common curriculum should be revised more often to provide a chance for improvement and work on the betterment of the education of American students.

Who is in charge of the education system in America?

Under the Department of Education, the Secretary of Education is in charge of the education system in America. They are the executive bodies of government and are answerable to the president directly.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

Read full bio >