Final answer:
The percentage of U.S. high school graduates who proceed to earn college degrees is approximately 36%. The reported statistics from the BLS in 2019 also show a steep drop to 13.5% for those attaining a master's or higher degree.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percentage of American high school graduates who earn college degrees is nearly 36 percent. This statistic reflects data from 2019 where the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that among the U.S. population aged 25 and over, while just over 90% had a high school diploma, only 36% had obtained a bachelor's or higher degree. Further analysis reveals that while 90% of those aged 25 and over have a high school diploma, the number that progresses to obtain advanced education like a master's or higher is just 13.5%.