January 09, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Internet use highest for most educated

Among adults, individuals with more education are more likely to use the Internet.

[Chart data—TXT]

In 1998, at least 66 percent of all graduate or first-professional degree holders used the Internet. Next were bachelor's degree holders; 59 percent of this group used the Internet. Forty-three percent of associate degree holders and 42 percent of persons with some college but no degree used the Internet. Among persons with a high school diploma or the equivalent, 21 percent used the Internet, while just 7 percent of those with less than a high school diploma used it.

In part, individuals with higher educational attainment levels are most likely to use the Internet because they are often exposed to computers and the Internet as students and are therefore better equipped with the necessary skills to go online. Also, advanced degree holders may have more opportunity to access the Internet. Many jobs that require advanced degrees also have higher Internet use rates.

These data are from a December 1998 supplement to the Current Population Survey. The data in this article are for individuals age 18 or older. See "Internet use: Here, there, and everywhere," by Terry Schau, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Winter 2000-01, for more information.