what percent of American go to college and out of them what percent of them graduated?

Answer 1

A revised 2005 US Census article stated that there are 14.4 million in graduate school with 3.1 million in graduate school for a total of 17.5 million persons and 27% graduate college. A 2000 boston globe article stated 33% of people who start college, graduate college.
That would mean that roughly 81% of the US population attempted college...
In terms of population, based on the projected 2005 US population 242.5M people tried college, 98.8M graduated.

Answer 2

Hey Rob. Here are a few quotes from the Wall Street Journal in an article by David Wessel: "Lack of Well-Educated Workers Has Lots of Roots, No Quick Fix". It was on page A2 of the April 19, 2007 issue.

"...we'd expect half of young Americans to graduate from college. Instead, it's more like 30% or 35%, says Mr. Katz, who is finishing a book with colleague Claudia Goldin on the history of education, technology and wages."

"About two-thirds of new high-school graduates are in college the following fall, but many drop out before completing even a two-year degree or a certificate. The 2000 U.S. Census shows that 43% of those between ages 22 and 34 who report any college attendance didn't get any degree; 13% didn't even finish a single year of college...".

So, it sounds like about 2/3rds of high school graduates try college, with about half of them actually graduating! (Note: what a huge waste of tax-payers dollars that subsidize the cost of 'higher education'.)

Hope you find this helpful. Best wishes and good luck.