Janice Lozano
The number of poor university students in the US has been increasing over the years. In 2019, the federal government considered low-income students as those with a family income below $38,625 for a family of four. The share of low-income students increased from 26.7% between 2000 to 2016 to 43.1%. The growth has been most significant at private for-profit colleges, public two-year institutions, and minimally selective four-year colleges. The burden of student debt and limited family resources disproportionately affect poor students and students of colour, leading to long-lasting consequences. The increase in the number of poor university students has impacted local poverty rates, with off-campus students significantly affecting the poverty rates in counties with large universities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall number of undergraduates at U.S. colleges and universities | Increased dramatically over the past 20 years |
| Who makes up the growth | Students of color and those from low-income families |
| Percentage of undergraduates who are nonwhite | Increased from 29% in 1996 to 47% in 2016 |
| Percentage of undergraduates from poor families | Increased from 12% in 1996 to 20% in 2016 |
| Percentage of poor independent students at very selective four-year institutions | Increased from 32% in 1996 to 52% in 2016 |
| Percentage of poor students at minimally selective and open admission four-year colleges | Increased from 14% in 1996 to 25% in 2016 |
| Percentage of poor dependent students at private for-profit colleges | Increased by 13 percentage points since 1996 |
| Percentage of poor dependent students at public and private nonprofit four-year schools | Increased by 6 and 3 percentage points, respectively, since 1996 |
| Percentage of poor students borrowing for education | Increased from 33% in 1996 to 38% in 2016 |
| Percentage of higher-income students borrowing for education | Increased from 8% in 1996 to 30% |
| Percentage of undergraduates at two-year colleges | Decreased from 44% in 1996 to 36% in 2016 |
| Percentage of low-income students from 2000 to 2016 | Increased from 26.7% to 43.1% |
| Definition of poor | Family income at or below 150% of the federal poverty threshold |
| Poverty threshold for a family of four in 2019 | $38,625 |
| Definition of poor for an individual under 65 living alone | Annual income less than $12,880 |
| Impact of off-campus students on local poverty rates | Significant in 81 of the 100 largest on-site enrollment colleges and universities |
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What You'll Learn
The number of poor US university students has increased
The number of poor US university students has indeed increased, with a larger proportion of students coming from low-income families. This shift has been most noticeable at less selective colleges and universities, which tend to have fewer resources to support students.
In 2019, the federal government defined low-income students as those from families with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty threshold. For a family of four, this meant an annual income of $38,625. The share of low-income students has risen significantly over the years, from 26.7% between 2000 and 2016 to 43.1% in 2016.
The increase in poor students at universities has been accompanied by a rise in undergraduates from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly Hispanics. This reflects the country's changing demographics and the growing diversity of the United States. The growth in the number of poor and minority undergraduates has been most significant in public two-year colleges and the least selective four-year colleges and universities.
While higher education can provide an opportunity for financial improvement, it often comes at a cost. Poor students, especially students of colour, face the burden of high student debt and limited family resources. This can have long-lasting consequences, impacting their ability to achieve upward socioeconomic mobility.
The impact of college students on local poverty rates is also notable. In counties with large universities, the presence of off-campus college students has been found to increase the community's poverty rate. This effect has been observed in both small and large counties, with 81 out of the 100 largest on-site enrollment colleges and universities located in places that experienced this phenomenon.
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Poor students are concentrated in less selective colleges
The number of undergraduates at US colleges and universities has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, with growth fuelled almost exclusively by an influx of students from low-income families and students of colour. However, this growth has been concentrated in less selective colleges.
According to a Pew Research Center analysis, the rise in poor and minority undergraduates has been most pronounced in public two-year colleges and the least selective four-year colleges and universities. In contrast, more selective four-year colleges and universities continue to have a majority of dependent undergraduates from middle- and higher-income families.
The increase in the share of dependent students in poverty has been most notable at private for-profit colleges, public two-year institutions, and minimally selective and open-admission four-year colleges. At more selective institutions, a growing proportion of dependent undergraduates come from families with incomes significantly above the poverty line.
Several factors contribute to the concentration of poor students in less selective colleges. Firstly, students from low-income families are less likely to apply to selective colleges, even when they have the academic credentials. This could be due to a lack of information about financial aid, the perception of cost as a barrier, or the admissions processes at selective institutions that may reduce the chances of high-achieving, low-income students gaining admission.
Additionally, even when low-income students are admitted to selective colleges, they face challenges such as a lack of financial resources or a sense of not belonging, leading to lower matriculation rates. As a result, high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds are only one-third as likely to enrol in selective colleges compared to their academically similar peers from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
To address these disparities, selective colleges need to actively encourage and support high-achieving, low-income students throughout the application and admission process. By doing so, they can increase access and provide opportunities for social mobility and financial success for deserving students from all backgrounds.
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Poor students face high debt and limited family resources
In the United States, there has been a notable increase in the number of poor students pursuing undergraduate studies, particularly at less selective colleges and universities. This trend has been observed across various institution types, including private for-profit colleges, public two-year institutions, and open admission four-year colleges. The rising number of poor students seeking higher education has brought to light the challenges they face in terms of high debt and limited family resources.
Poor students often have limited family resources to support their educational expenses, which can lead to higher debt burdens. They may lack the generational wealth and financial support that students from higher-income families have access to. This disparity is further exacerbated by the income gap between different ethnic groups, with Black and Latinx students facing greater financial challenges. The burden of student debt can have long-lasting consequences, impacting borrowers' financial health and their ability to invest in opportunities for themselves and their children.
The challenge of financing their education may contribute to higher college dropout rates for poor students, leaving them with student debt but without the benefits of a degree. Additionally, students from low-income families often have to work longer hours or multiple jobs, which can impact their ability to dedicate sufficient time to their studies. They may also lack access to essential resources, such as computers and high-speed internet, which can further hinder their academic success.
The impact of student debt extends beyond the individual as well. In communities with a large presence of college students living off-campus, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, the overall poverty rate tends to increase. This phenomenon has been observed in both small and large counties across the United States, affecting local poverty rates significantly.
To address these challenges, there have been calls for structural changes in the higher education system to ensure equal access and opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial background. This includes providing additional federal funds and resources for programs aimed at supporting students from low-income families and improving the distribution of funding to ensure that high-poverty districts receive their fair share.
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Poor students are less likely to take out loans
The number of undergraduates in the US has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, with this growth almost exclusively driven by an influx of students from low-income families and students of colour. This increase has been most notable at less selective colleges, with a larger share of students at private non-profit four-year schools coming from higher-income families.
Despite this, there is a notable absence of debt relief policies, leaving many students burdened by the consequences of student debt. Student loans often negatively impact workers' economic mobility, the labour market, and racial wealth inequality. Students from poor backgrounds are less likely to take out loans due to the risk of defaulting, which can lead to an increase in student loan debt due to late fees and interest, as well as a decline in credit and ineligibility for additional student aid. The burden of student debt can also impact other areas of students' lives, such as delaying homeownership, marriage, starting a family, or saving for retirement.
Furthermore, low-income students are often at an academic disadvantage, as they may need to work full-time while studying, leaving them with little time to focus on their education. They also tend to have less access to career counselling and financial resources, which can make the payoff of a degree seem negligible. The disparity in debt burden between poor students and students of colour is particularly stark, with nearly half of Black students owing more money four years after graduating than they originally borrowed.
The impact of student debt on low-income students is not limited to their time at university. Studies show that graduates with high levels of debt are more likely to opt for higher-paying positions and less likely to choose lower-paying public interest roles. This skews a valuable portion of the workforce away from roles that are critical to society. Additionally, student debt can elevate interest rates on other debts, further raising the cost of consumption for borrowers.
Overall, while the number of poor students in US universities has been rising, they are less likely to take out loans due to the potential negative consequences. The lack of support and the increasing cost of higher education create significant barriers for these students, hindering their economic mobility and contributing to societal inequalities.
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Poor students are more likely to be from minority backgrounds
The number of undergraduates at U.S. colleges and universities has increased over the past 20 years, with this growth driven by an influx of students from low-income families and students of color. This increase has been most notable at private for-profit colleges, public two-year institutions, and minimally selective and open admission four-year colleges and universities.
However, it is important to note that the rise in poor and minority undergraduates has been most significant in public two-year colleges and the least selective four-year colleges and universities. More selective institutions continue to cater predominantly to students from middle- and higher-income families. This disparity is further exacerbated by the fact that minority students are more likely to be assigned less effective teachers and are less likely to have access to teachers with higher qualifications or degrees in their field.
The economic segregation facing minority students, particularly African American and Hispanic students, is a result of various factors, including high childhood poverty rates, housing segregation, and the increasing economic polarization in metropolitan areas. This segregation has resulted in minority students being concentrated in schools where economic struggle is the norm rather than financial stability.
Furthermore, higher education debt disproportionately affects poor students and students of color, often resulting in long-lasting consequences. The burden of debt can hinder social and educational mobility, even when higher education is meant to provide an entrance to the middle class and financial improvement. These disparities are evident in a report by The Pell Institute and PennAHEAD, which highlights the stark differences in debt burden and benefits of higher education among ethnic groups in the U.S.
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Frequently asked questions
The total share of undergraduate college students who come from poor families increased from 12% in 1996 to 20% in 2016.
The federal government considers low-income students as those whose family income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty threshold. In 2019, for a US family of four, 150% of the federal poverty level was a household income of $38,625.
Selective universities tend to have lower fees for low-income students, but many students still opt for open-access institutions that are closer to home.
The presence of college students who live off-campus raises the community's poverty rate.
