Many Idaho Graduates Head to College Out of State

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — New state data that tracks high school students after graduation show they're enrolling in more than 450 institutions in every state in the country.

The new system also shows that fewer than half of Idaho's graduates went on to post-secondary schools and universities after getting their diplomas. The Idaho Statesman reports the new tracking system is intended to help officials learn more about the decisions graduates make.

The State Board of Education along with the Albertson Foundation and other groups are trying to figure out why Idaho has one of the nation's lowest rates for students going on to college. Last year, more than 16,600 students graduated from Idaho high schools. Of those who went on to college, 30 percent opted to attend schools outside the state.