Detroit Student's College Pathways and Outcomes

This policy brief reports findings from research partnerships between the Youth Policy Lab, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), the Detroit College Action Network (DCAN), and MDRC. We describe the landscape of college pathways and outcomes for Detroit high school graduates including current rates of college enrollment, persistence, and completion, both overall and within student subgroups. Additionally, we explore college planning/ preparation resources and norms available in Detroit high schools. Finally, we report on the results of a survey of Detroit Promise Path scholarship recipients that sheds light on the factors that inhibit Detroit students from succeeding in college

Key findings

1. College enrollment among Detroit high school graduates declined between 2010 and 2018, yet full-time and 4-year enrollment increased.
2. Detroit enrollees are representative of the Detroit student population. The city’s demographic makeup has changed over the past decade, and this is reflected in who is going to college.
3. The majority of Detroit high school graduates are not college-ready.
4. Most college enrollees from Detroit are not “on-track” to graduate after one year, and few eventually earn a degree.
5. Detroit high schools offer a wide range of college-supportive resources. Areas for growth related to college-going norms include increased parent outreach, more consistent long-term data tracking, and counseling students about college match.
6. Academic preparation is only one barrier to college success. Students report financial concerns, lack of transportation, and family responsibilities as equally large obstacles to postsecondary success.

Robin T. Jacob

Faculty Co-Director & Founder

• Post-secondary access and attainment