FAST FACTS - Issue No. 38 - From Learning to Earning: The Impact of Postsecondary Education on Employment for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Oct 15, 2026

Postsecondary education (PSE) serves as a practical pathway to competitive employment and financial independence for individuals with intellectual disability. Evidence summarized in this FAST FACTS issue shows higher employment rates and increased wages when PSE is paired with vocational rehabilitation (VR) supports, alongside measurable cost savings through reduced long-term government benefits. The publication highlights outcome rates from key studies and reports, and provides a concise conclusion for stakeholders seeking effective investment in PSE opportunities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Higher Employment Rates

Increased Earnings

Cost Savings

Conclusion

Sources

FAST FACTS ISSUE NO. 38, 2025 From Learning to Earning: The Impact of Postsecondary Education on Employment for Individuals with Intellectual Disability By Clare Papay, Caitlyn A. Bukaty, and Belkis Choiseul-Praslin OVERVIEW: Postsecondary education (PSE) is more than just a learning opportunity for people with intellectual disability—it’s an effective pathway to competitive employment and financial independence. Research shows PSE leads to higher employment rates and increased wages for people with intellectual disability, and long-term cost savings for supporting them. This resource highlights key research on the impact PSE has on the employment outcomes for people with intellectual disability. | Higher Employment Rates

People with intellectual disability who participated in PSE with vocational rehabilitation (VR) support are
2X
more likely to be employed
Source: Sannicandro et al. (2018)

74%
of graduates who completed a federally funded TPSID* program were engaged in paid employment one year after graduation
Source: Grigal et al. (2024)

69%
of Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship recipients
—individuals with Down syndrome who pursue PSE—who have graduated are employed
Source: Ruby’s Rainbow (2024)
*TPSID = Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities | | | --- | --- | | Increased Earnings

People with intellectual disability who participated in PSE with VR support earn
51%
more than those without PSE

Source: Smith et al. (2018) | Cost Savings

PSE is COST-EFFECTIVE and COST-EFFICIENT for people with intellectual disability, with upfront costs recovered in
28 months resulting in REDUCED
LONG-TERM GOVERNMENT BENEFITS
Source: Cimera et al. (2018)
| CONCLUSION The evidence is clear—PSE unlocks employment and earnings potential for students with intellectual disability. Yet only 3.2% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aged 18–25 are enrolled in a college or university (National Core Indicators, 2022) . Investments in higher education opportunities empower people with intellectual disability to achieve their fullest potential, contribute to the workforce, and lead fulfilling, independent lives. Learn more about the impact of PSE on employment at [thinkcollege.net](thinkcollege.net). Postsecondary education unlocks employment and earnings potential for students with intellectual disability. Sources Cimera, R. E., Thoma, C. A., Whittenburg, H. N., & Ruhl, A. N. (2018). Is getting a postsecondary education a good investment for supported employees with intellectual disability and taxpayers? Inclusion, 6(2), 97–109. [https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-6.2.97](https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-6.2.97) Grigal, M., Hart, D., Papay, C., Bukaty, C., Choiseul-Praslin, B., & Pound, S. (2024). Annual report of the cohort 3 TPSID model demonstration projects (Year 3, 2022–2023). University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion. [https://thinkcollege](https://thinkcollege). net/resource/program-evaluation-student-outcomes/ annual-reportof-the-cohort-3-tpsid-model-1 National Core Indicators (2022). What do NCI-IDD data tell us about how many people with IDD receiving state services are enrolled in college or university? [https://idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/](https://idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/)[ ](https://idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/)wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NCI-Data-Highlight-onPostSecondary-Education-FINAL. pdf Ruby’s Rainbow (2024). 2023 impact report. [https://](https://)[ ](https://)[rubysrainbow. org/about/financials/](rubysrainbow. org/about/financials/) Sannicandro, T., Parish, S., Fournier, S., Mitra, M., & Paiewonsky, M. (2018). Employment income and SSI effects of postsecondary education for people with intellectual disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 123(5), 412–497. [https:/

FAQs

How does postsecondary education affect employment for individuals with intellectual disability?

Research summarized in the issue indicates that participation in PSE, especially with vocational rehabilitation (VR) support, is associated with higher likelihood of being employed after program completion.

What employment and earnings results are reported for people with intellectual disability?

The publication reports increased earnings for individuals who participated in PSE with VR support compared with those without PSE, supported by cited studies and program outcome figures.

Why are postsecondary education investments described as cost-effective?

The document explains that initial upfront costs are recovered within a defined timeframe, leading to reduced long-term government benefits and improved cost-effectiveness.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sophia Brooks