Less than half of Ohio's young adults are likely to enroll in college by age 19, and those who do pay more than the national average to attend, according to a report on higher education released Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The independent study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education graded states in six overall performance categories.

The results for Ohio were:

Preparation: B- Ohio performs fairly well in preparing its young people for college. Eighth-graders perform well in math, science and reading, but their scores in writing are fairly low. Scores on the math test have increased substantially in the past 15 years.

Participation: C- The chance of Ohio high school students enrolling in college by age 19 is 45 percent, primarily because few graduates go on to college immediately after high school. Only 4.9 percent of adults age 25-49 are enrolled in college-level education or training.

Affordability: F Poor and working-class families must devote 57 percent of their income, even after student financial aid, to pay for costs at public four-year colleges. For every dollar in Pell Grant aid to students, the state spends only 46 cents.

Completion: B- Ohio performs fairly well in awarding certificates and degrees. Fifty-five percent of college students complete a bachelor's degree within six years.

Benefits: C+ Only 25 percent of residents have a bachelor's degree on higher, and this weakens the state economy. That percentage has increased from 19 percent in 1990.

All states received an "Incomplete" in the Learning category because of insufficient data to allow meaningful state-by-state comparisons.

Eric D. Fingerhut, chancellor of the Board of Regents, said the report does not capture the progress Ohio is making to provide affordable higher education, including a two-year tuition freeze at all public colleges and universities.

"The reality is that there are an increasing number of low-cost options available in every corner of the state that make going to college within reach for all Ohioans," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.