GITNUXREPORT 2025

First Generation Student Statistics

First-generation students face financial, academic, and support challenges affecting graduation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

First-generation students tend to have lower college GPAs compared to their peers, with an average GPA below 3.0

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College retention programs targeting first-generation students have shown to increase graduation rates by up to 15%, demonstrating effective intervention strategies

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First-generation students are less likely to complete college within six years (about 60%) compared to their peers (around 70%)

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Only about 40% of first-generation college students graduate within six years, compared to 60% of non-first-generation students

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The dropout rate for first-generation students is approximately 30%, higher than the overall college dropout rate of about 20%

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Less than 50% of first-generation students who attend college earn a degree within six years, compared to around 60% of their peers

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Over 60% of first-generation students express concerns about lack of family support during college

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First-generation students are less likely to participate in study abroad programs than their peers, with participation rates around 10-15%

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First-generation students are more likely to face mental health challenges and report higher levels of stress and anxiety

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First-generation students are more likely to switch majors multiple times compared to their peers, often due to lack of guidance

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Only about 25% of first-generation students receive academic advising compared to 40% of non-first-generation students

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Nearly 60% of first-generation students report feeling unprepared for college-level coursework, indicating gaps in high school preparation

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First-generation students experience higher rates of residential instability, often changing living arrangements during college, which can impact retention

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Approximately 70% of first-generation students report feeling a sense of “imposter syndrome,” impacting their academic confidence

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First-generation students are less likely to participate in extracurricular activities, with participation rates around 30-40%, compared to 50-60% of their peers

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The graduation rate for first-generation students varies but averages around 45-55% depending on the institution

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First-generation students report higher levels of loneliness and social isolation during college, impacting mental health and success

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Only around 35% of first-generation students transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions within three years of enrollment, compared to higher rates among non-first-generation students

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First-generation students have a lower likelihood of holding leadership positions within campus organizations, often less than 20%, due to social and resource barriers

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Over 65% of first-generation students report that family responsibilities impact their college experience, including work, caregiving, and other commitments

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First-generation students are less likely to access mental health services on campus, with utilization rates around 20-25%, compared to 40-50% among non-first-generation students

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First-generation students often face cultural and language barriers, especially among immigrant families, affecting their academic engagement and integration

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Only about 15% of first-generation students participate in research or internships related to their field of study, limiting career development opportunities

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First-generation students are more likely to have gaps in their academic records due to other obligations or lack of preparation, affecting their transition into college

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Approximately 25% of first-generation students are identified as first in their family to graduate high school, indicating diverse educational backgrounds before college

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First-generation students are more likely to attend community colleges than four-year institutions

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Around 44% of first-generation students enrolled at community colleges, compared to 36% at four-year colleges/universities

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First-generation students are more likely to delay college enrollment, with many enrolling in their late teens or early twenties

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First-generation students are more likely to attend part-time, with approximately 40% doing so, versus 25% of non-first-generation students

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The average age of first-generation college students upon enrollment is approximately 19-20 years old, often older than traditional students

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Approximately 20% of college students in the United States are first-generation students

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First-generation college students are less likely to come from high-income families, with over 70% coming from families with annual incomes below $75,000

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First-generation students are more likely to be Pell Grant recipients, with over 70% receiving Pell Grants

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First-generation students often experience higher rates of financial hardship, with over 50% reporting difficulty paying for college

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First-generation students are less likely to have high academic achievement in high school, often with lower SAT/ACT scores than their peers

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Approximately 55% of first-generation college students are students of color, compared to 40% of non-first-generation students

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About 35% of first-generation students live with parents or guardians while attending college, compared to 25% of their counterparts

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First-generation students are more likely to work part-time while studying, with nearly 60% doing so, compared to 40% of non-first-generation students

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Family income impacts college enrollment with low-income first-generation students 3 times less likely to attend four-year colleges than higher-income students

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About 80% of first-generation students rely on federal financial aid programs, such as Pell Grants, to finance their education

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First-generation students are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college, with over 80% being first in their immediate family

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The median annual income for first-generation graduates is significantly lower than that of non-first-generation graduates, often by 20-30%, impacting economic stability post-graduation

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Up to 65% of first-generation students participate in orientation programs, seeking additional support to navigate college life

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First-generation students who participate in mentoring programs are more likely to persist and graduate, demonstrating the importance of targeted support

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Key Highlights

Approximately 20% of college students in the United States are first-generation students
First-generation students are less likely to complete college within six years (about 60%) compared to their peers (around 70%)
First-generation students are more likely to attend community colleges than four-year institutions
Only about 40% of first-generation college students graduate within six years, compared to 60% of non-first-generation students
First-generation college students are less likely to come from high-income families, with over 70% coming from families with annual incomes below $75,000
First-generation students are more likely to be Pell Grant recipients, with over 70% receiving Pell Grants
Around 44% of first-generation students enrolled at community colleges, compared to 36% at four-year colleges/universities
First-generation students often experience higher rates of financial hardship, with over 50% reporting difficulty paying for college
The dropout rate for first-generation students is approximately 30%, higher than the overall college dropout rate of about 20%
First-generation students are more likely to delay college enrollment, with many enrolling in their late teens or early twenties
Less than 50% of first-generation students who attend college earn a degree within six years, compared to around 60% of their peers
First-generation students are more likely to attend part-time, with approximately 40% doing so, versus 25% of non-first-generation students
First-generation students are less likely to have high academic achievement in high school, often with lower SAT/ACT scores than their peers

Despite making up around 20% of college students in the U.S., first-generation students face higher dropout rates, greater financial hardships, and less institutional support, highlighting the urgent need for targeted efforts to bridge the achievement gap and empower this vital community.

Academic Performance and Retention

First-generation students tend to have lower college GPAs compared to their peers, with an average GPA below 3.0
College retention programs targeting first-generation students have shown to increase graduation rates by up to 15%, demonstrating effective intervention strategies

Academic Performance and Retention Interpretation

While first-generation students often face the academic achievement gap, targeted support programs can serve as a crucial bridge, boosting graduation rates and proving that with the right interventions, first-generation success is within reach.

Challenges and Barriers Faced

First-generation students are less likely to complete college within six years (about 60%) compared to their peers (around 70%)
Only about 40% of first-generation college students graduate within six years, compared to 60% of non-first-generation students
The dropout rate for first-generation students is approximately 30%, higher than the overall college dropout rate of about 20%
Less than 50% of first-generation students who attend college earn a degree within six years, compared to around 60% of their peers
Over 60% of first-generation students express concerns about lack of family support during college
First-generation students are less likely to participate in study abroad programs than their peers, with participation rates around 10-15%
First-generation students are more likely to face mental health challenges and report higher levels of stress and anxiety
First-generation students are more likely to switch majors multiple times compared to their peers, often due to lack of guidance
Only about 25% of first-generation students receive academic advising compared to 40% of non-first-generation students
Nearly 60% of first-generation students report feeling unprepared for college-level coursework, indicating gaps in high school preparation
First-generation students experience higher rates of residential instability, often changing living arrangements during college, which can impact retention
Approximately 70% of first-generation students report feeling a sense of “imposter syndrome,” impacting their academic confidence
First-generation students are less likely to participate in extracurricular activities, with participation rates around 30-40%, compared to 50-60% of their peers
The graduation rate for first-generation students varies but averages around 45-55% depending on the institution
First-generation students report higher levels of loneliness and social isolation during college, impacting mental health and success
Only around 35% of first-generation students transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions within three years of enrollment, compared to higher rates among non-first-generation students
First-generation students have a lower likelihood of holding leadership positions within campus organizations, often less than 20%, due to social and resource barriers
Over 65% of first-generation students report that family responsibilities impact their college experience, including work, caregiving, and other commitments
First-generation students are less likely to access mental health services on campus, with utilization rates around 20-25%, compared to 40-50% among non-first-generation students
First-generation students often face cultural and language barriers, especially among immigrant families, affecting their academic engagement and integration
Only about 15% of first-generation students participate in research or internships related to their field of study, limiting career development opportunities
First-generation students are more likely to have gaps in their academic records due to other obligations or lack of preparation, affecting their transition into college
Approximately 25% of first-generation students are identified as first in their family to graduate high school, indicating diverse educational backgrounds before college

Challenges and Barriers Faced Interpretation

First-generation students, navigating higher education with less family guidance and support, face daunting hurdles—ranging from lower graduation rates and mental health challenges to limited participation in extracurriculars and research—highlighting the urgent need for targeted resources and institutional commitment to bridge these significant gaps.

Enrollment and Participation Patterns

First-generation students are more likely to attend community colleges than four-year institutions
Around 44% of first-generation students enrolled at community colleges, compared to 36% at four-year colleges/universities
First-generation students are more likely to delay college enrollment, with many enrolling in their late teens or early twenties
First-generation students are more likely to attend part-time, with approximately 40% doing so, versus 25% of non-first-generation students
The average age of first-generation college students upon enrollment is approximately 19-20 years old, often older than traditional students

Enrollment and Participation Patterns Interpretation

First-generation students, often balancing delayed starts and part-time efforts, demonstrate resilience and adaptability—but their journey underscores the need for more tailored support to bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement.

Socioeconomic Factors and Income

Approximately 20% of college students in the United States are first-generation students
First-generation college students are less likely to come from high-income families, with over 70% coming from families with annual incomes below $75,000
First-generation students are more likely to be Pell Grant recipients, with over 70% receiving Pell Grants
First-generation students often experience higher rates of financial hardship, with over 50% reporting difficulty paying for college
First-generation students are less likely to have high academic achievement in high school, often with lower SAT/ACT scores than their peers
Approximately 55% of first-generation college students are students of color, compared to 40% of non-first-generation students
About 35% of first-generation students live with parents or guardians while attending college, compared to 25% of their counterparts
First-generation students are more likely to work part-time while studying, with nearly 60% doing so, compared to 40% of non-first-generation students
Family income impacts college enrollment with low-income first-generation students 3 times less likely to attend four-year colleges than higher-income students
About 80% of first-generation students rely on federal financial aid programs, such as Pell Grants, to finance their education
First-generation students are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college, with over 80% being first in their immediate family
The median annual income for first-generation graduates is significantly lower than that of non-first-generation graduates, often by 20-30%, impacting economic stability post-graduation

Socioeconomic Factors and Income Interpretation

First-generation college students, often from modest means and higher challenges, are diligently forging a path despite financial hardships and historic familial gaps, highlighting both their resilience and the urgent need for systemic support to level the academic playing field.

Support Systems and Resources

Up to 65% of first-generation students participate in orientation programs, seeking additional support to navigate college life
First-generation students who participate in mentoring programs are more likely to persist and graduate, demonstrating the importance of targeted support

Support Systems and Resources Interpretation

First-generation students who engage in mentorship and orientation programs are not just finding their footing—they’re charting a path to success, proving that targeted support can turn potential into achievement.