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
Upward Economic Mobility
Healthier, Happier Lives
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.
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 Unbound Opportunity 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
- Embeds near-peer mentors—our Fellows—right on high school and college campuses to provide direct support
- Walks the journey together with our students to, through, and beyond college
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 Unbound Opportunity Model delivered by near-peer mentors
Seasoned Leadership
Alumni leaders and mentors, and excellence in governance and management
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.
