The Atlas of American Higher Education

Book excerpt: Here is an essential reference book which will be enthusiastically welcomed by all those interested in American higher education. This innovative approach to the presentation of educational information is a welcome change from the traditional portrayal of such data in the form of dry statistics, tables, and charts. The striking visual approach provides the reader with a clear, concise understanding of higher education in this country and furnishes a comprehensive overview of current trends. By seeing the data graphically portrayed, even a casual reader can develop a broad understanding of basic information in a relatively short period of time. From the masses of information that are regularly collected and compiled by the many agencies and associations concerned with higher education, the authors have carefully chosen the most important data and those that highlight significant and revealing patterns. Clearly showing the influence of the fifty separate and distinct systems that make up American higher education, The Atlas of American Higher Education presents dozens of maps on such topics as enrollment; students and faculty; cultural diversity; specialized institutions; two-year colleges; outcomes of higher education; student costs and student aid; and financing of higher education, as well as general background and summary chapters. It includes balanced coverage of both public and private, two- and four-year institutions. In addition to portraying educational data by state, the Atlas shows basic underlying demographic variables such as the distribution of population and ethnic groups, income, and urbanization. The Atlas of American Higher Education is an indispensable text for college and university administrators, students and faculty in master's and doctoral programs in the field of higher education, as well as anyone concerned with educational policy. Geographers, those interested in American studies, and other social scientists will find the Atlas useful in courses that deal with social, cultural, and demographic issues.