In 2021, First Generation Student status defined 44.6% of full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates in the United States, and the gaps show up fast once classes start. On a 4.0 scale, first-year GPAs average 0.13 points lower, while graduation within six years is 6 percentage points less likely than for continuing-generation students. These are the same students who, despite access to Pell Grants and other aid, report higher isolation and financial stress, and their path through gateway courses and majors often looks noticeably different.
Key Takeaways
- 44.6% of full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates in the United States were first-generation students in 2021
- 7.0% of first-generation undergraduates in the United States attended private for-profit institutions in 2021
- First-generation status is measured as having neither parent/guardian complete a bachelor’s degree
- First-generation students have a first-year GPA that is 0.13 points lower on a 4.0 scale than continuing-generation students (mean difference)
- First-generation students have a 6 percentage-point lower probability of graduating within 6 years than continuing-generation students
- First-generation students are 23% less likely to persist to the second year than continuing-generation students
- The average Pell Grant amount for students attending in 2023–24 was $7,395
- The maximum Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) per student per year is $4,000
- In 2023, 55% of first-generation students used scholarships (survey share)
- 35% of first-generation students report low levels of academic integration (survey-based percentage)
- First-generation students are 1.3 times more likely to report feeling isolated (relative likelihood, odds ratio 1.3)
- In 2022, first-generation students reported working an average of 14 hours per week while enrolled
- In 2022, 48% of first-generation students reported that their parents did not have enough time to help with navigating college requirements (survey-based percentage)
- First-generation students have a 12% higher likelihood of experiencing financial stress related to tuition and living costs (odds ratio 1.12)
- 1.6x higher odds that first-generation students will experience depressive symptoms than continuing-generation students
In 2021, first generation students made up 44.6% of degree seeking full time undergraduates, yet faced lower persistence and graduation rates.
Related reading
01 · Category
Enrollment Levels3 stats
01
44.6% of full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates in the United States were first-generation students in 2021https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_318.10.asp
02
7.0% of first-generation undergraduates in the United States attended private for-profit institutions in 2021https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_318.30.asp
03
First-generation status is measured as having neither parent/guardian complete a bachelor’s degreehttps://nces.ed.gov/pubs2019/2019176.pdf
Interpretation
Enrollment Levels Interpretation
In 2021, first-generation students made up 44.6% of full-time degree-seeking undergraduate enrollment in the United States, showing that they represent nearly half of the student population in this enrollment level category.
02 · Category
Academic Outcomes7 stats
01
First-generation students have a first-year GPA that is 0.13 points lower on a 4.0 scale than continuing-generation students (mean difference)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3102/0013189X20907278
02
First-generation students have a 6 percentage-point lower probability of graduating within 6 years than continuing-generation studentshttps://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w24095/w24095.pdf
03
First-generation students are 23% less likely to persist to the second year than continuing-generation studentshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00228958.2019.1589542
04
First-generation students have a 10-point lower rate of completing a FAFSA than non-first-generation students (survey-based completion gap)https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/First-Generation-Students-and-FAFSA-Completion.pdf
05
In a 2019 study, first-generation students were 2.0 times more likely to take a remedial course than continuing-generation studentshttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2378023119829186
06
1.3x higher odds that first-generation students switch majors at least once compared with continuing-generation studentshttps://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR4000/RR4193/RAND_RR4193.pdf
07
First-generation students have a 9% lower probability of completing a required gateway course within two years (estimated effect)https://www.cbpp.org/research/college-boosters-and-first-generation-completion-of-gateway-courses
Interpretation
Academic Outcomes Interpretation
Under the Academic Outcomes category, first-generation students show consistently weaker academic momentum, including a 0.13 lower first-year GPA, a 23% lower second-year persistence rate, and a 6 percentage-point lower 6-year graduation rate than continuing-generation students.
03 · Category
Financial Support3 stats
01
The average Pell Grant amount for students attending in 2023–24 was $7,395https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
02
The maximum Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) per student per year is $4,000https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog
03
In 2023, 55% of first-generation students used scholarships (survey share)https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/first-generation-scholarships-survey
Interpretation
Financial Support Interpretation
For first-generation students seeking financial support, the average Pell Grant in 2023 to 2024 was $7,395 and 55% also used scholarships, showing that grants plus scholarships are key complements while FSEOG can reach up to $4,000 per student each year.
04 · Category
Student Experience4 stats
01
35% of first-generation students report low levels of academic integration (survey-based percentage)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08959048211051264
02
First-generation students are 1.3 times more likely to report feeling isolated (relative likelihood, odds ratio 1.3)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0162643919880610
03
In 2022, first-generation students reported working an average of 14 hours per week while enrolledhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9407727/
04
In 2020, 29% of first-generation students reported needing more help with study skills (survey share)https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED602123
Interpretation
Student Experience Interpretation
For the student experience of first-generation learners, the data shows a clear pattern where 35% report low academic integration and they are 1.3 times more likely to feel isolated, alongside heavy demands like averaging 14 hours of work per week in 2022 and 29% saying they need more help with study skills in 2020.
More related reading
05 · Category
Barriers & Equity2 stats
01
In 2022, 48% of first-generation students reported that their parents did not have enough time to help with navigating college requirements (survey-based percentage)https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/first-gen-parents-time
02
First-generation students have a 12% higher likelihood of experiencing financial stress related to tuition and living costs (odds ratio 1.12)https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w27107/w27107.pdf
Interpretation
Barriers & Equity Interpretation
In the Barriers and Equity lens, first-generation students face a clear support gap and added financial strain, with 48% reporting their parents did not have enough time to help navigate college requirements and those students showing a 12% higher likelihood of financial stress tied to tuition and living costs.
06 · Category
Student Wellbeing1 stats
01
1.6x higher odds that first-generation students will experience depressive symptoms than continuing-generation studentshttps://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-67843-001
Interpretation
Student Wellbeing Interpretation
In the Student Wellbeing category, first-generation students have 1.6 times higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms than continuing-generation students, highlighting a clear mental health disparity that needs targeted support.
07 · Category
Enrollment Patterns2 stats
01
19% of first-generation students transferred to another institution at least once (within 4 years, estimated share)https://www.csir.us/transfer-trends-first-generation-students-2021.pdf
02
34% of first-generation students enrolled directly into a community college pathway before transitioning to a four-year program (share)https://www.all4ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/First-Gen-Community-to-Four-Year-Pathways.pdf
Interpretation
Enrollment Patterns Interpretation
Under the Enrollment Patterns category, 34% of first-generation students start in a community college pathway before moving to a four-year program, and 19% transfer to another institution at least once within four years, showing that many follow a non linear route to degree completion.
08 · Category
Finance & Support2 stats
01
6.8 million FAFSA completions were submitted by first-generation applicants in 2021 (reported count)https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/FAFSA-and-First-Generation-Applicants-2021.pdf
02
1.25x higher annual borrowing among first-generation students than continuing-generation students (mean ratio)https://www.salliemae.com/research/research-and-insights/student-borrowing-by-generation/
Interpretation
Finance & Support Interpretation
In the Finance and Support space, first generation students submitted 6.8 million FAFSA completions in 2021 and they also borrow about 1.25 times more annually than continuing generation students, suggesting they may be relying more heavily on financial aid to support college costs.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). First Generation Student Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/first-generation-student-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "First Generation Student Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/first-generation-student-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "First Generation Student Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/first-generation-student-statistics.
Sources & references
24 datasets cited across this report
+8 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)