Fewer than half of underserved students believe post-high school education is necessary

“Students from underserved communities are looking at education through a practical lens,” said Fisher. “They want to know what the cost is, how they’re going to pay, how they will get through everyday life and whether there’s a job at the end of the road.”

Students from underserved populations feel unprepared to make decisions about their future

The study found that 86 percent of students surveyed think about their future path at least weekly (52 percent think about it every day) and 59 percent have a career path in mind, but few are receiving the guidance they need to make an informed decision.

Only about one-third of students surveyed have been offered a program that helps them explore careers; 38 percent have taken a class on career exploration, and only 41% of students attend high schools that provide college fairs.

When thinking about their future, more than half look to their family to provide information, 48 percent seek insight from teachers and counselors, and 36 percent turn to friends and classmates.

Students from underserved populations are focused on ensuring their ability to meet their basic needs

The survey found that underserved students put basic needs at the top of their decision-making criteria:

• 75 percent listed mental health in their top decision-making criteria for choosing a path after high school
• When asked about their top three needs in making a decision about their post-high school education:
  • 43 percent listed “I need to be able to feed myself”
  • 34 percent listed “I need to have safe housing”
  • 31 percent listed “I need to be able to take care of my physical health”

In addition, 48 percent wish their high school provided more guidance on managing their health (physical/mental).

Students from underserved populations are concerned about the cost of education after high school

The cost of education after high school is a key concern for these populations:

• 70 percent listed the cost of tuition in their top decision-making criteria for choosing a path after high school
• 56 percent worry about how they will pay for college

The most common areas where students lack the financial information they need include:

• Scholarships available to them (43 percent)
• Earning potential based on different career paths (38 percent)
• Jobs they should consider to help manage costs while attending school (37 percent)
• Average costs they will have to pay outside of tuition (33 percent)

In addition, 65 percent would choose a career they are passionate about over one that provides a high salary.

Even among underserved populations, there are differences in education and career outlook

• Low-income students are least likely to consider four-year degrees
• First-generation students are most likely to have started career exploration in high school
• First-generation students are more worried about costs outside of tuition
• BIPOC students have the lowest understanding of the income/cost tradeoff of pursuing a career over pursuing education immediately after high school
• Low-income students feel more strongly about postsecondary education requiring less time to complete
• First-generation students are most likely to believe the government has a role in funding education
• First-generation students are most concerned about how they will pay for education

Additional findings include:

Careers are top-of-mind for low-income, first-generation and BIPOC students

• 57 percent started exploring career options in high school
• 78 percent say it’s important or very important to have career plans determined when they graduate from high school

Shorter, career-focused education pathways make sense for underserved students

• 55 percent said their post-high school education should last less than four years
  • 39 percent said post-high school education should be two years or less
• 33 percent say post-high school education should only include subjects directly related to their program/major
• 58 percent say a skills-based education makes sense
• 32 percent say education would be better in several short experiences over a lifetime vs. one longer experience
• Because of the pandemic, 34 percent feel more comfortable with following a path other than four-year college

Low-income, first-gen and BIPOC students believe the government and businesses have a role to play in their education

• 46 percent say the government should provide additional money to pay off student loans
  • 40 percent say the government should subsidize/pay for education
• 40 percent say businesses should provide formal education
  • 38 percent say businesses should provide additional money to pay off student loans

Related:
4 ways to address learning gaps for underserved students
Problem-based learning helped boost my underserved students’ engagement