Who Are The Undergraduates?

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In this economy, it's not a surprise that the majority of college students attend community and four-year public colleges. But surprisingly, of those under 30, more than 35% attend part time.

College costs are the issue. Although government Pell grants grew, so did college tuition and those grants now cover a smaller portion of college costs. Federal loans, however, cover 43% of undergraduate tuition.

During the past decade, college enrollments of minority groups grew faster than those of white students. Women, now in every group, outnumber men.

Eighty-four percent of students own laptops and more use of technology has increased the need to combat plagiarism and illegal file sharing. Of public four-year colleges, 79% have developed plans for combating piracy.

Numbers of foreign students have grown with Chinese students adding a huge 30% in one year, replacing Indian students as the largest group. Find more information on undergraduates in The Chronicle of Higher Education's almanac issue 2011-2012.

Reported By Dr. Marciene Mattleman, KYW Newsradio