The projected number of Minnesota high school graduates in 2013 is 59,379, a 9% decrease from a peak in 2007. The number of graduates will start rising again next year, returning to the 2007 level by 2023. Read more about Minnesota student demographic projections.

Resident Assistants (RAs) — the trained student peer leaders who work in campus residence halls — play an important role in students’ successful transition to college.

In 2012, 33,510 Minnesotans earned a bachelor’s degree in the state. Where they earned them was divided evenly — about one-third each at private nonprofit colleges, the U of M and MnSCU.

When the goal is to increase the number of Minnesotans who earn a college degree, need-based grant aid has a powerful impact. Research data make a strong case for why Minnesota’s State Grant program is so worthwhile.

Helping more low- and middle-income students earn a college degree requires that scarce state resources be targeted where they are most effective. That’s why the Council is urging policymakers to expand the impact of the State Grant program.

Physician assistants are expected to help with what ails health care in the years ahead. But for Minnesota’s growing number of  programs — all at private colleges — lining up clinical settings can be a challenge.

At Minnesota’s Private Colleges in fall 2012, 18.3% of new freshmen, 19.1% of all new entering students and 21.5% of new transfer students were students of color.