Gallup and Lumina reveal 2024 State of Higher Education report

 

POSTED ON Sep 09, 2024

 

The 2024 State of Higher Education report, conducted by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup, reveals that adults face significant barriers in completing degrees, such as cost and mental wellness concerns.

According to the report, women and people of color are less likely to feel a sense of belonging, respect, and support in their education programs.

The survey involved 6,015 currently enrolled students, 5,012 U.S. adults who had not completed a degree, and 3,005 adults who had never enrolled in higher education.

The findings indicate that many adults, including women and people of color, are deterred by the high costs and emotional stress associated with pursuing a degree.

Despite a decline in college enrollment over the past decade, the report highlights a growing interest in pursuing higher education, with more than half of unenrolled adults expressing interest in enrolling in the next five years.

This interest is primarily driven by the desire for better career outcomes.

However, concerns about the cost of education, the value of credentials, as well as work and caretaking responsibilities, continue to impede enrollment.

The report emphasizes that cost remains the primary barrier for adults of all demographics, particularly for women.

Additionally, emotional and mental health considerations, especially among younger adults, play a significant role in enrollment decisions.

Addressing these issues is essential to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to access and succeed in higher education.

Furthermore, the report highlights disparities in how students of different genders and races feel supported within their educational institutions.

Women and students of color are less likely to feel cared for, mentored, and respected at their colleges, and they are also less likely to feel a sense of belonging compared to their white and male counterparts.

This underscores the need for colleges, institutions, and policymakers to address these challenges to ensure equitable access to education.

Many colleges and universities in the U.S. are experiencing enrollment challenges, leading to low enrollment rates due to declines in previous years.

However, there has been a slight improvement in postsecondary enrollment in fall 2023, driven by increased enrollment in community college and short-term credential programs rather than bachelor’s programs.

There has also been a modest increase in enrollment among Hispanic and Black undergraduates, who have historically been underrepresented in higher education.

The reasons for considering leaving a program, such as emotional stress, mental health, and cost, are consistent across racial/ethnic groups.

Black and Hispanic students are more likely than their White peers to consider leaving their program .

Moreover, Black and Hispanic unenrolled U.S. adults show interest in enrolling in certificate and associate programs, with financial aid/scholarships being the most important factors in attracting them.

Hispanic and Black students remain more likely than White students to consider stopping their coursework (“stopping out”).

Emotional stress, mental health, and cost are the most critical reasons for considering stopping coursework for all racial/ethnic groups.

Additionally, a lack of belonging and discriminatory experiences at school are factors that contribute to these considerations, particularly among Black students.

A majority of unenrolled U.S. adults have considered enrolling in a postsecondary program, with Black and Hispanic adults being most likely to consider certificate or associate degree programs.

Financial aid/scholarships, confidence in degree value, and an increase in income are important factors in attracting unenrolled U.S. adults, with financial aid/scholarships being particularly crucial for Black and Hispanic adults, along with emergency aid and greater flexibility in work and personal schedules.