Why We Provide Scholarships to Students

Investing in scholarships is a powerful strategy to address the alarming college dropout rates in the United States, which have significant economic and social consequences. Below is an analysis of dropout rate data.

(Statistics from Education Data Initiative as of July 7, 2025 https://educationdata.org/college-dropout-rates.)

College First-year Students Dropout Rates

Most college students who drop out of school do so in the first academic year.

• Between the fall semesters of 2022 and 2023, 22.3% of all first-time, full-time freshmen dropped out of college.

• At 4-year institutions, 18.3% of first-time, full-time college freshmen dropped out between 2022 and 2023.

• 4-year, public schools have the lowest dropout rate among all first-time freshmen, with 17.9% of students dropping out between the fall semesters of 2022 and 2023.

• 4-year private for-profit schools have the highest dropout rate of 38.7% for full-time students. 

College Dropout Re-Enrollment Rates

In general, students who drop out of college and re-enroll later are less likely to drop out a second time. Full-time students are always more likely than part-time students to complete an award.

• In 2023, 1,009,237 SCNCs enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting institutions. 

• Roughly 2-3% of all SCNCs re-enroll, regardless of their original degree-granting institution.

• Of those re-enrolled students in 2023, men make up 40.4%, while women contribute to 56.6% of the re-enrolled population. 

• In 2023, SCNCs who attended primarily online institutions are more likely to re-enroll after dropping out than other types of institutions. 

College Dropout Employment Rates

While college dropouts earn lower wages than college graduates, SCNCs earn more than high school graduates.

• Workers with some college but no degree have a 3.8% unemployment rate, which is 15.2% higher than the national average.

• Workers aged 25 and over with some college but no degree make a median of $1,020 weekly, which is 16.5% less than the average worker

• Workers aged 25 and older with some college but no degree make 7.2% less than associate’s degree holders on average.

• Workers aged 25 and older with some college but no degree make 9.7% more than high school diploma only.

• Workers with bachelor’s degrees make a 51.3% higher income than SCNC workers.

College Dropout Rate Demographics

There is a direct correlation between lower income and an increased risk of dropout among all postsecondary students. Older students are also more likely to drop out than students who first enrolled as teenagers.

• There is a lower percentage of college students who drop out between the ages of 35 and 64 than under 35. 

• Until 24 years old, women exhibit lower rates of dropout, whereas, after the age of 25, women tend to be more prevalent in their dropout rate.

• Asian students make up 2.7% of all dropouts, which is the third lowest among ethnic demographics.

• Native American students make up 1.0% of all dropouts, which is the second lowest among ethnic demographics.

• Black students make up 14.1% of all dropouts.

• White students make up the largest group of all dropouts, at 33.4% compared to all other college dropouts.

Nationwide College Dropout Rates

Adults who are both out of school and have some college with no credential (SCNC) account for approximately 16.1% of the national population.  

• 43,098,820 college dropouts or SCNCs live in the United States as of July 2023.

• Among them, 67.2% were under 35 years old when they were last enrolled.

• 30.7% of them are currently under 35 years old.

• For every current undergraduate, there are over two (2) SCNCs nationwide.

• 24% of college students have seriously considered leaving school or are at risk of dismissal. 

• 41% of first-generation college students have seriously considered leaving school or are at risk of dismissal.

We can make an impact!

Providing scholarships is not just an investment in education—it’s an investment in the future of individuals, families, and entire communities. The evidence is clear: financial support keeps students in school, helps them achieve their goals, and fosters economic and social well-being. Addressing dropout rates through scholarships is not merely a charitable act; it’s a strategic imperative for building a stronger, more equitable society.