Nearly 1 in 5 college students in the U.S. are student-parents, with almost 50% enrolled in community colleges — institutions meant to expand opportunity through affordability and access. However, these students face a significant affordability gap, paying an average of $13,000 more per year than their peers without children at the same colleges once the full cost of attendance is accounted for. The total cost of attendance, includes:

• Tuition and fees
• Child care
• Housing
• Transportation
• Basic living expenses

Download the Brief (PDF)

While many prospective students use the net price to assess affordability, this estimate doesn’t factor in child care, which is a significant cost for student-parents. Child care costs parents an average of over $11,500 annually, rivaling the median cost of rent, while infant care is more expensive than public college tuition in 38 states.

As a result, student-parents are more likely to experience financial insecurity, and many are forced to pause or drop out of college altogether.

Key Findings From EdTrust

EdTrust’s latest report, using updated national data, reveals how student-parents are navigating higher education today. It highlights:

• Promising policies and practices that support student-parents
• Actionable recommendations for federal and state policymakers, as well as higher education leaders
• A powerful, interactive dashboard offering state- and institution-level data on affordability gaps

Why It Matters

Closing the affordability gap for student-parents is essential to:

• Improving college completion rates
• Strengthening families and communities
• Building a more equitable and resilient economy

Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library

Dashboard