Report

“Higher Together: The Impact of a College Degree for Young Parents” shares the post-college experiences of Generation Hope’s alumni, who were all teen parents working toward their Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Generation Hope alumni were a part of the larger student parent population that makes up 1 in 5 undergraduate college students nationwide. The organization’s Scholar Program has helped teen parents complete college by providing direct support, such as mentoring, tuition assistance, a peer community, and other vital services, addressing their immediate and long-term needs.  

We invite you to engage in one (or all!) of the following activities to help get the word out about this report:

• Read the Twitter moment recap of our Twitter chat to learn about the report and its major findings and to hear from our friends and partners in this work.

• Watch a recording of our webinar to explore the report findings in greater detail, especially as they relate to young parents in the DC region.

In surveying their alumni, Generation Hope found consistent themes related to the impact that a college degree can have on young parents and their children. Key findings include:

• Average annual earnings for teen parents more than doubled after earning a college degree. While nearly 90% of respondents were earning under $30,000 annually at the time that they started college, the average salary for those who are now working full-time is more than $60,000 annually. 

• Nearly one-third of teen parent graduates continued on to advanced degrees. Thirty-two percent of Bachelor’s degree earners are either working on or have earned a graduate degree.

• Teen parents recognized the value that their college degree brought to their lives. Almost 90% of respondents indicated at least one positive outcome from earning their degrees.

• College completion unlocks higher earnings for young parents, but continued efforts to dismantle systemic oppression are essential. Employment discrimination, lack of generational wealth, and pay disparities create ongoing challenges for young families. Even among graduates working full time, 50% are accessing some form of public assistance. Black teen parent graduates were more likely than Hispanic/Latinx graduates to access public assistance, at 63% and 46%, respectively. 

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Press Release