The Evolution of Poverty in Higher Education: Rising Economic Precarity and Material Hardship among Undergraduates

• In Event: 411 - Section on Inequality, Poverty, and Mobility Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 14. Topics in Inequality.

Abstract

Today’s economy increasingly demands a postsecondary education and students from all backgrounds have responded by enrolling in higher education. Yet, the net price of college has risen dramatically and the purchasing power of need-based financial aid has declined making college increasingly unaffordable. Moreover, the real wages of all but the richest Americans have declined since 2000. To make up for substantial unmet financial need, students often take out loans and work for pay. Media reports indicate that college students are going without basic needs, including adequate food and shelter, in order to pursue their educational goals. While qualitative accounts confirm these narratives, the extent of the problem is unknown. This paper uses nationally representative data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to estimate the incidence of economic precarity, food insecurity, and housing instability among college students between 1998 and 2011. Results indicate a trend of increasing economic precarity and material hardship among college students over time. Undergraduates pursuing an academic degree report similar levels of hardship as the general adult population. In 2011, 17% of students were unable to meet their essential expenses, 12% were food insecure, and 16% were housing instable. A greater share of students pursuing a vocational or technical training credential were economically precarious in 2011 including 28% who were unable to meet essential expenses. In addition, 21% were food insecure and 31% were housing instable. These findings illustrate the daily challenges of self-sufficiency and academic success faced by a growing share of college students.

Author

• Katharine Broton, University of Wisconsin - Madison