College success.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

Although more and more students are enrolling in U.S. colleges and universities, the proportion of who earn a degree or credential continues to decline. Among today's 25- to 34-year-olds, only a little more than 40 percent have a post-secondary degree. Comparing 2007 data, the United States ranks 12th among the 36 countries with the highest graduation rates. The top countries, according to the College Board, are:

CANADA

55.8 %

SOUTH KOREA

55.5%

RUSSIA

55.5%

JAPAN

53.7%

NEW ZEALAND

47.3%

IRELAND

43.9%

NORWAY

42.7%

ISRAEL

41.5%

FRANCE

41.4%

BELGIUM

41.3%

AUSTRALIA

40.7%

UNITED STATES

40.4%

Go to www.ncsl.org/magazine to view the entire list.