GITNUXREPORT 2025

First Generation Students Statistics

First-generation students face higher financial, academic, and support challenges in college.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

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Students who are first-generation tend to have lower cumulative GPAs.

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The gap in retention rates between first-generation and continuing-generation students is around 10%.

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First-generation students are more likely to delay enrollment and take longer to graduate compared to their peers.

Statistic 4

First-generation college students have roughly a 10% lower graduation rate compared to non-first-generation students.

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Only about 14% of first-generation students pursue graduate or professional degrees.

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First-generation students are less than half as likely to study abroad as their peers.

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Less than 50% of first-generation students graduate within six years of starting college.

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The transfer rate for first-generation students is approximately 26%, lower than the 33% for non-first-generation students.

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About 26% of first-generation students drop out within their first year.

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First-generation students are less likely to participate in internships and research opportunities.

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The degree completion gap between first-generation and non-first-generation students has narrowed but still remains significant.

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First-generation students are more prone to financial hardship impacting their academic progress.

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First-generation students often lack familial guidance about navigating college systems.

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First-generation students have lower rates of full-time enrollment compared to their peers.

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First-generation students are more likely to report feeling isolated or unsupported.

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First-generation students tend to have lower academic preparedness upon entering college.

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Only about 44% of first-generation students feel confident about their college success.

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First-generation college students are underrepresented in STEM fields.

Statistic 19

First-generation students are more likely to experience mental health challenges linked to academic pressures.

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Only 12% of first-generation students complete a master's degree.

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First-generation students face more obstacles related to family expectations and responsibilities.

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First-generation students are less likely to have access to academic resources and mentoring.

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First-generation students are more likely to transfer between institutions during their studies.

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First-generation students report higher levels of financial stress impacting their academic performance.

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About 30% of first-generation students have dependents and family responsibilities.

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The dropout rate for first-generation students tends to peak during their first year of college.

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First-generation students are less likely to participate in honors or merit programs.

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First-generation students report feeling less prepared for post-graduation employment.

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Many first-generation students lack access to extensive academic advising.

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First-generation students are more likely to attend college part-time.

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About 25% of first-generation students report that financial concerns influenced their decision to attend college.

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

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About 71% of first-generation students come from low-income families.

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First-generation students have a median age of 24 years at graduation, compared to 22 for their peers.

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First-generation students are more likely to attend community colleges than non-first-generation students.

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First-generation college students are more likely to be from ethnic minority backgrounds.

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Approximately 30% of first-generation students are the first in their family to attend college.

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About 79% of first-generation students are enrolled either part-time or full-time in college.

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First-generation college students are more likely to attend college in rural areas.

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The likelihood of completing college within six years is about 54% for first-generation students.

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The proportion of first-generation students earning bachelor's degrees is approximately 65%.

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The proportion of first-generation students earning associate degrees is approximately 45%.

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About 60% of first-generation students participate in campus activities and organizations.

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First-generation students are less likely to receive institutional financial aid.

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Nearly 60% of first-generation college students work while attending school.

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About 55% of first-generation students receive Pell Grants.

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The median annual income of first-generation students after graduation is roughly $36,000.

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Nearly 40% of first-generation students work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year.

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First-generation students are more likely to rely on student loans to finance their education.

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Less than 20% of first-generation students qualify for merit-based scholarships.

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The average annual cost of college attendance for first-generation students is comparable to other students, but they are more likely to borrow.

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Key Highlights

  • Approximately 20% of undergraduate students in the United States are first-generation college students.
  • First-generation students are more likely to delay enrollment and take longer to graduate compared to their peers.
  • About 71% of first-generation students come from low-income families.
  • First-generation college students have roughly a 10% lower graduation rate compared to non-first-generation students.
  • Only about 14% of first-generation students pursue graduate or professional degrees.
  • First-generation students are less likely to receive institutional financial aid.
  • First-generation students have a median age of 24 years at graduation, compared to 22 for their peers.
  • Nearly 60% of first-generation college students work while attending school.
  • First-generation students are more likely to attend community colleges than non-first-generation students.
  • About 55% of first-generation students receive Pell Grants.
  • First-generation students are less than half as likely to study abroad as their peers.
  • Less than 50% of first-generation students graduate within six years of starting college.
  • The transfer rate for first-generation students is approximately 26%, lower than the 33% for non-first-generation students.

Although they make up about 20% of the U.S. undergraduate population, first-generation college students face unique challenges—from lower graduation rates and limited financial aid to increased work and family responsibilities—that highlight the urgent need for targeted support and systemic change.

Academic Performance and Retention

  • Students who are first-generation tend to have lower cumulative GPAs.
  • The gap in retention rates between first-generation and continuing-generation students is around 10%.

Academic Performance and Retention Interpretation

First-generation students often face the dual challenge of navigating uncharted academic waters, reflected in their lower GPAs and a retention gap of about 10%, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support to turn their college journey into a success story.

Challenges and Obstacles Faced

  • First-generation students are more likely to delay enrollment and take longer to graduate compared to their peers.
  • First-generation college students have roughly a 10% lower graduation rate compared to non-first-generation students.
  • Only about 14% of first-generation students pursue graduate or professional degrees.
  • First-generation students are less than half as likely to study abroad as their peers.
  • Less than 50% of first-generation students graduate within six years of starting college.
  • The transfer rate for first-generation students is approximately 26%, lower than the 33% for non-first-generation students.
  • About 26% of first-generation students drop out within their first year.
  • First-generation students are less likely to participate in internships and research opportunities.
  • The degree completion gap between first-generation and non-first-generation students has narrowed but still remains significant.
  • First-generation students are more prone to financial hardship impacting their academic progress.
  • First-generation students often lack familial guidance about navigating college systems.
  • First-generation students have lower rates of full-time enrollment compared to their peers.
  • First-generation students are more likely to report feeling isolated or unsupported.
  • First-generation students tend to have lower academic preparedness upon entering college.
  • Only about 44% of first-generation students feel confident about their college success.
  • First-generation college students are underrepresented in STEM fields.
  • First-generation students are more likely to experience mental health challenges linked to academic pressures.
  • Only 12% of first-generation students complete a master's degree.
  • First-generation students face more obstacles related to family expectations and responsibilities.
  • First-generation students are less likely to have access to academic resources and mentoring.
  • First-generation students are more likely to transfer between institutions during their studies.
  • First-generation students report higher levels of financial stress impacting their academic performance.
  • About 30% of first-generation students have dependents and family responsibilities.
  • The dropout rate for first-generation students tends to peak during their first year of college.
  • First-generation students are less likely to participate in honors or merit programs.
  • First-generation students report feeling less prepared for post-graduation employment.
  • Many first-generation students lack access to extensive academic advising.
  • First-generation students are more likely to attend college part-time.
  • About 25% of first-generation students report that financial concerns influenced their decision to attend college.

Challenges and Obstacles Faced Interpretation

Despite their resilience, first-generation students face an uphill climb marked by lower graduation rates, limited access to resources, and emotional hurdles, revealing that breaking the college glass ceiling still requires dismantling systemic barriers—not just individual effort.

Demographic Characteristics

  • Approximately 20% of undergraduate students in the United States are first-generation college students.
  • About 71% of first-generation students come from low-income families.
  • First-generation students have a median age of 24 years at graduation, compared to 22 for their peers.
  • First-generation students are more likely to attend community colleges than non-first-generation students.
  • First-generation college students are more likely to be from ethnic minority backgrounds.
  • Approximately 30% of first-generation students are the first in their family to attend college.
  • About 79% of first-generation students are enrolled either part-time or full-time in college.
  • First-generation college students are more likely to attend college in rural areas.
  • The likelihood of completing college within six years is about 54% for first-generation students.
  • The proportion of first-generation students earning bachelor's degrees is approximately 65%.
  • The proportion of first-generation students earning associate degrees is approximately 45%.

Demographic Characteristics Interpretation

While first-generation college students—comprising about one-fifth of undergraduates, often from low-income and minority backgrounds—demonstrate resilience by navigating higher education at an older age, attending community colleges, and in rural areas, their journey underscores both the profound potential for upward mobility and the pressing need for tailored support to increase graduation rates beyond the current 54%.

Engagement and Campus Involvement

  • About 60% of first-generation students participate in campus activities and organizations.

Engagement and Campus Involvement Interpretation

With nearly 60% of first-generation students actively engaging in campus activities, it's clear they’re not only breaking ground academically but also building a vibrant community, proving that the first step into higher education often leads to a lifelong leadership journey.

Financial Aspects and Economic Outcomes

  • First-generation students are less likely to receive institutional financial aid.
  • Nearly 60% of first-generation college students work while attending school.
  • About 55% of first-generation students receive Pell Grants.
  • The median annual income of first-generation students after graduation is roughly $36,000.
  • Nearly 40% of first-generation students work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year.
  • First-generation students are more likely to rely on student loans to finance their education.
  • Less than 20% of first-generation students qualify for merit-based scholarships.
  • The average annual cost of college attendance for first-generation students is comparable to other students, but they are more likely to borrow.

Financial Aspects and Economic Outcomes Interpretation

First-generation students often navigate higher financial hurdles and heavier workloads, illuminating that despite their determined pursuit of higher education, systemic gaps still require closing to foster true equity.