Final answer:
Approximately 90% of full-time students receive a certificate or degree within six years, showing diverse educational timelines. The U.S. has high college participation but not as high degree completion rates. In 2014, 33.6% of 25-65 year olds had bachelor's degrees and 7.4% had master's degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
What percentage of students receive a certificate or degree within six years? Based on the provided statistics, we can calculate the combined percentage of full-time students who graduated within four, five, and six years. If 40% graduated in four years, 30% in five years, and 20% in six years, the total becomes 90%. Therefore, 90% of full-time students receive a certificate or degree within six years. This statistic highlights the various paths students take in their higher education journey and the time it takes to reach graduation, reflecting the persistence and attainment patterns in postsecondary education.
Additionally, we understand that the United States holds a strong position in college participation but lags in the number of students who receive college degrees. The complexities of educational attainment and its impact on material well-being come to light when considering the entirety of statistics.
It is also interesting to note that in 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that while a majority of people in the U.S. had completed high school, a smaller proportion had acquired higher education degrees, with 33.6% holding bachelor's degrees and only 7.4% having earned master's degrees among 25-65 year olds.