Taking into account enrollments at all U.S. postsecondary institutions, women comprised 56 percent of undergraduates in 1999–2000. Minority students represented about one-third of the total undergraduate population, which was 12 percent Black, 11 percent Hispanic, and 5 percent Asian.¹ Roughly 2 percent of undergraduates were either American Indian/Alaska Natives (0.9 percent) or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders (0.8 percent). And about 2 percent indicated that they were of more than one race.

Among Hispanic undergraduates, Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano students made up the largest group (55 percent versus 4 to 27 percent for other Hispanic groups). Among Asian undergraduates, Chinese students made up the largest group (25 percent versus 3 to 13 percent for other Asian groups).

While a majority of undergraduates were younger than 24, about one in four were 30 or older. The average age of undergraduates was 26 and the median age was 22.

About 7 percent of undergraduates were not U.S. citizens. Of these noncitizens, 5 percent were permanent residents, and 2 percent were foreign students. Undergraduates who were born in another country, immigrated to the United States, and became citizens comprised 4 percent of undergraduates. One in ten undergraduates were born in the United States but had at least one foreign-born parent. In addition, 13 percent of undergraduates spoke a language other than English in the home while growing up.

Students who were parents made up 27 percent of undergraduates,² including 13 percent who were single parents.³ While women were more likely to be single parents (16 percent), 9 percent of unmarried men also reported having dependents.

When asked to report on a series of disabling conditions or difficulties with basic physical activities, 9 percent of undergraduates reported having some such condition or difficulty.⁴ However, when asked specifically, "Do you consider yourself to have a disability?" the proportion who responded "yes" was considerably lower (4 percent).