Publication Date
1-1-2024
Keywords
first-generation college students, higher education, academic preparation, achievement gap
Volume
2024
Abstract
For first-generation college students, receiving an acceptance letter to an institution of higher education is a milestone: a means to secure economic and social opportunities not afforded to their family members. However, for many first-generation students, college acceptance does not equate to a college credential or degree, with only 27.4% graduating within 4 years. These lower attrition rates stem from a lack of familial financial resources and inadequate academic preparation in high school. Additionally, a different set of rules, jargon, and expectations between home life and institutions of higher education create a 'hidden curriculum' for first-generation students, making college completion challenging to navigate. Adverse effects of an early exit from college include diminished earning potential and employability, decreased quality of life, and an increased risk of defaulting on student debt. Organizations such as the Center for First-Generation Student Success and the Gantry Group work to eliminate the achievement gap between first-generation and continuing-generation students through high-impact practices at individual institutions.
Recommended Citation
Alger, Rachel
(2024)
"Drop-Out Rates among First-Generation Undergraduate Students in the United States,"
Ballard Brief: Vol. 2024:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ballardbrief/vol2024/iss1/2