2018-2019 College Track Annual Report CT_AnnualReport_2019 | Page 4

While higher education has always been viewed as
the great equalizer, skepticism is growing around its
relevance. The argument against the value of a college
degree ignores the harsh realities our students’ families
confront: record-high housing costs, racial discrimination,
unaffordable healthcare, and limited pathways to the
middle class. When our families are denied the right to
succeed, we all lose. At College Track, we believe it is
time to draw the line.
A bachelor’s degree continues to be the most direct
pathway to economic mobility, civic engagement, lifelong
wellness, and self-agency. By increasing the number of
first-generation college graduates, we fulfill the promise
of higher education for generations to come and set the
stage for students to thrive in careers where people of
color have been traditionally underrepresented. With
the opportunity to choose where to live, work, and raise
a family, College Track graduates own their power and
their futures.
Our alumni network is now more than 600 strong and
includes a range of professionals—from educators and
engineers to attorneys and entrepreneurs. The potential
within every student is magnified a hundredfold by our
community’s collective investment. Our nation’s challenge
to achieve educational equity and social justice belongs
to us all.
Together, we will democratize potential through
the power of higher education.
VALUE OF A COLLEGE DEGREE VS. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
4
Better Career Opportunities
2.2x more likely to be employed Greater Civic Engagement
2x more likely to vote and volunteer
Higher Earning Potential
$1 million more in earnings
over a lifetime Lasting Generational Impact
Children of college graduates 2x more
likely to earn a bachelor’s degree
Healthier Lifestyle
Less likely to be obese or smoke
and more likely to exercise Increased Public Benefit
Contribute 14x more in taxes and less
reliant on government services