Fixing America’s College Attainment Problems: It’s About More Than Affordability Critical Considerations for any New Federal-State Partnership

College affordability is a growing problem for American families. But solving that problem won't fix America’s college attainment problems. While the vast majority of high school graduates enter college, many don't earn the degrees that they need in today’s marketplace — at least in part because many colleges are more focused on getting students in the door than on making sure they succeed. Problems are biggest for America’s “New Majority”— students of color and those from low-income families — who enter and graduate from college at rates well below other students. This report points out that any proposed new federal-state partnership aimed at making college more affordable should simultaneously address completion problems, leveraging new investments to ensure that students are better prepared and that colleges and universities prioritize student success, especially among underserved groups.