Is College Worth It?: Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Student Voices on the Value of Postsecondary Credentials - A Comprehensive Education Report

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

The report investigates the multifaceted value of postsecondary education for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, especially those participating in federally funded TRIO programs. It addresses concerns about student debt and perceived returns by analyzing economic and non-economic benefits of earning a college credential. Using a mixed-methods design that combines quantitative survey data with qualitative focus groups and interviews, it presents a holistic view of students’ experiences and perceptions across economic, professional, network, and personal dimensions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time2 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Setting the Stage

Methodology

Detailed Findings

Economic Dimension

Professional Dimension

Network Dimension

Personal Dimension

Familial Dimension

Collective Dimension

Summary of Findings

Recommendations

Charting the Path Forward

References

For more information, [visit us at pellinstitute.org](visit us at pellinstitute.org). Is College Worth It?: Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Student Voices on the Value of Postsecondary Credentials A Comprehensive Education Report ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We extend our deepest gratitude to the Lumina Foundation for their generous support of this project. Their commitment to advancing equity and access in higher education has been instrumental in bringing this work to fruition. This project would not have been possible without their dedication to ensuring that the voicesand experiences of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students are centered in conversations about the value of postsecondary credentials. Copyright 2024 by The Pell Institute. All Rights Reserved. No part of this journal may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission from The Pell Institute except for the use of quotations for academic and educational material. Disclaimer: The Pell Institute and Editor(s) cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this journal. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Pell Institute or Editor(s), nor does the publication of advertisements constitute any endorsement by the Institute and Editors of the products advertised. Printed in the USA (Washington, DC) by the Council for Opportunity in Education. Suggested Citation: Breen, Stephanie M., Brunt, Nicole, & Vaughan III, Terry. (2024) . Is College Worth It?: Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Student Voices on the Value of Postsecondary Credentials – A Comprehensive Education Report. Washington, DC: The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) . TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................. 2 SETTING THE STAGE ....................................................................................................... 4 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 6 DETAILED FINDINGS....................................................................................................... 9 ECONOMIC DIMENSION ....................................................................................... 10 PROFESSIONAL DIMENSION.............................................................................. 15 NETWORK DIMENSION......................................................................................... 19 PERSONAL DIMENSION ....................................................................................... 30 FAMILIAL DIMENSION.......................................................................................... 39 COLLECTIVE DIMENSION ................................................................................... 43 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS .............................................................................................. 49 RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................................... 50 CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD ............................................................................. 56 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 57 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report investigates the multifaceted value of postsecondary education for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, particularly those involved in federally funded TRIO programs. Amid growing concerns over student debt and the perceived worth of higher education, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of both the economic and non-economic benefits of earning a college credential. Our research adopts a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative survey data and qualitative i

FAQs

What groups and programs does the report focus on?

The report focuses on Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, particularly those involved in federally funded TRIO programs.

How does the report evaluate the value of postsecondary credentials?

It provides a comprehensive analysis of both economic and non-economic benefits, using mixed methods that combine quantitative surveys with qualitative focus groups and interviews.

What main value dimensions are highlighted in the findings?

Key findings cover economic value, professional value, social network value, and personal value, along with additional dimensions such as familial and collective factors.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah