One third of young Americans are college-educated

A record one-third of young Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 hold bachelors degrees, according to a report released Monday by the Pew Research Center, the New York Times reported.

The report, which analyzed recent census data, showed that people in that numbers of people in that age group who graduated from high school or completed some college also increased.

According to the report, the economic recession and declines in job opportunities may be responsible for the increases, the New York Times reported. As a result, more Americans may see higher education as necessary.

A 2009 Pew Research survey showed 73 percent of adults thought college education was necessary, in comparison to 49 percent in 1978, USA Today reported.

But the report showed that despite the increases, other nations have still surpassed the United States in college completion rates, USA Today reported.