The Education Opportunity Divide

A Degree Changes Everything

The value of higher education is indisputable, especially for students who are from low-income backgrounds.

Employment Resiliency

Unemployment rate is half as high for college grads during economic downturns than high school grads
1 /2

Upward Economic Mobility

Average higher lifetime earnings for those with four-year degrees compared to high school grads
75 %

Healthier, Happier Lives

Compared to high school grads, college grads lead healthier lives with higher civic engagement, lower infant mortality, and longer life spans
83 %

The Education Opportunity Divide

Getting through college has never been more complex for students from low-income backgrounds.

The challenges and systemic barriers impeding these capable students make it impossible to graduate—let alone apply to college, widening the gap between low- and high-income students.

Only 14% of students from low-income backgrounds will graduate with a bachelor’s degree—compared to 58% of their affluent peers.

How We Close the Divide

With 40+ years of experience, we know systemic change means providing more expansive opportunities to more students so they can graduate from college—and build careers that benefit their lives, families, and communities.

Our College & Career Success Model

  • Eliminates disqualifiers like GPA and test scores
  • Meets students where they are with multiple options, such as community college
  • Inspires belief in our students’ unlimited potential
  • Demystifies the financial aid process for debt-free degrees
  • Near-peer mentors help students navigate life both on and off campus.
  • Provides personalized, adaptable support at every step—to, through, and beyond college.

What We Do

Support to, through and beyond college:

  • College Pathways Preparation
  • College Success Advising
  • Scholarships & Financial Aid Advising
  • Community College Transfer Support
  • Career & Graduate School Readiness
  • Alumni & Career Success

Why 10,000 Degrees

The most efficient, effective college success model with impact that scales. We impact more students, in more communities with outstanding graduation rates.

Local Impact

Moves the needle in your community

Data-driven Outcomes

Track record of highest ROI and broadest community reach

Wrap-around Support

Proven, holistic College & Career Success Model Model delivered by near-peer mentors

Seasoned Leadership

Alumni leaders and mentors, and excellence in governance and management

See how we're solving the Education Opportunity Divide

Join Us

Join us to ensure more students from low-income backgrounds can reach their full potential—to earn their college degree, launch their careers, and positively impact their lives, their families’ lives, and their communities.