It’s an exciting time for the more than 650,000 students we estimate are donning caps and gowns to graduate from Texas public high schools, colleges and universities this month across our state.

Whether starting careers, joining the military, or continuing their education in one of Texas’ 148 postsecondary institutions, we know these Texas graduates look forward to making their own way in the world.

As we celebrate this year’s graduates and the resilience they have shown through the pandemic disruptions, we take a look at what the data says about what the future has in store for these newly minted graduates as they leave the schoolhouse door.