I had a 4.0 GPA, and I started to get heavily involved throughout school. From starting off as a member of different clubs to becoming a part of SCA—one of my ;biggest goals was to build up my college resume. After 6 or 7 months, I talked to my mom about my college application and wanting to go to VCU; she said, “Who said you’re going to school out of town?” and “I don’t want you paying for housing and tuition, it’s too expensive.” This left me with three options, ODU, VWU, or TCC. Although there’s nothing wrong with any of those schools, they don’t align clearly with what I want to pursue, and I was heartbroken since I loved the idea of living in the city for college. Many students from lower incomes are forced to think practically over chasing their dreams. Attending prestigious out-of-state or out-of-town universities often comes with a high financial risk.
Seniors, have you ever wondered why advisors really encourage you to fill out a FAFSA form? It’s because college can be really expensive. Public universities charge $10,340 for academic years 2025-2026 for in-state tuition and $39,307 for out-of-state tuition. But college students aren’t only responsible for their tuition–they are also responsible for the cost of their room and board. A public four-year college averages at a whopping $12,639 for room and board while a private four-year college averages around $14,406. While the “college life” of living in a dorm and living away from parents sounds like a dream, for some, it’s unrealistic. An average college budget for an in-state student attending a four-year public college in 2023-2024 averages $28,840. For many high-achieving students from low-income households, these high costs for an academic year at college are enough to stop them from applying. To some of these students, piling on more expenses when their families may already be struggling to cover basic needs can feel selfish or irresponsible. To avoid these high costs, these students would typically apply to local or less selective colleges that would realistically be able to provide education while also keeping the cost low.
An incoming college freshman’s background has a heavy impact on their admission and success in college. Students who come from middle-class families are more vulnerable to student loan debt to those who come from higher income or low income families. This is because those who are low income get a good amount of money in grants from the government, while those who are high income are able to support themselves without any help. This leaves middle income families in an awkward spot where they are able to support themselves comfortably financially but once college costs are added into their situation–it starts to drag them into debt and financial issues. Debt can be a borrowed resource that young people can use to bridge the gap between their families’ resources and the rising costs of college. But let’s also emphasize that debt comes with inherent risks, which may limit students’ opportunities and choices after college. Although student loans and debt can help students pursue their desired college, it can also trap them in the future. Ultimately, a student’s background shapes not only their education beyond high school, but also their financial situation after graduation.
If you want to avoid falling into debt, many students attend community college. Community college isn’t “embarrassing”; it’s a cost effective alternative that any upcoming student can attend to spend significantly less money on class credits, but it isn’t always the best option–depending on what the student desires to pursue. Upcoming students who want to get an associates degree or vocational certifications may attend community college over a four-year institution, since all four years wouldn’t be needed. In the 2022-2024 school year, the average annual cost at a two-year public college was $3,598. But this can differ for those who want to obtain their bachelor’s and beyond. Many careers in categories such as healthcare, engineering, and business require at least a bachelor’s degree. Problems can come up with attending a two-year institution while needing a four-year degree such as transferring credits or needing more time to complete a degree. While community college can lessen financial strain, their status influences not only their college choice, but also their career and stability later in life.
To sum it all up, a student’s social status has a massive impact on their college experience and opportunities. Academic weapon students that come from low-income or middle-class families struggle between pursuing their dream schools and managing the finances of an academic school year. Additionally, community college can provide a more affordable route for students, but it can also limit access to certain careers. These pressures show that a student’s background isn’t limited to determining their education, but also their future career and stability. By spreading awareness to many families and students of fewer means, an increased number of students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education and dreams.
