CONCORD — More New Hampshire high school graduates are going to college, but fewer are staying in New Hampshire, according to the annual Status of Higher Education in New Hampshire report.

The annual report is a statistical overview and a summary of recent trends and the condition of higher education in the Granite State.

“Higher education is essential to providing a well-educated workforce. Every New Hampshire resident should have the accessibility to and affordability of more than a high school diploma,” said Virginia M. Barry, Department of Education commissioner. “We are fortunate in New Hampshire to have both our public and private higher education institutes involved in ongoing conversations to support pre-K-through-20 efforts.”

The report examines key trends in higher education in the state: high school graduates entering postsecondary degree programs, higher education financing, and New Hampshire employment and degrees awarded at New Hampshire institutions.

The report finds 6 percent more New Hampshire graduates entering postsecondary institutions, with 52 precent enrolled in state institutions and 30 percent in New England schools. While the percentage entering New England institutions has been constant the last 10 years, 5 percent fewer New Hampshire students are attending their state colleges and universities.

New Hampshire students had the highest student debt nationally in 2011, although student financial aid has more than doubled over the last 10 years, according to the report.

“New Hampshire continues to rank last in state funding for higher education operating costs per $1,000 of personal income,” the report notes.

The report notes state higher education institutions awarded more associate in health professions degrees than any other. The highest number of bachelor degrees awarded were in the engineering field, and the number of master of engineering degrees has been the fastest growing, according to the report.

More than 60 percent of students entering New Hampshire institutions graduated with a bachelor degree within six years, which is higher than the national average of 55 percent, according to the report.

New Hampshire institutions also outpaced their national counterparts in the number of students who received associate degrees within three years. The graduation rate for earning associate degrees within three years is 30 percent, while the national average is 20 percent.

The Status of Higher Education in New Hampshire report can be found at education.nh.gov/highered/research/status_reports.htm.

grayno@unionleader.com