Education and Career Advancement

Education is a cornerstone of economic security, and we are committed to breaking down barriers to advancement. We
research student parents, career training opportunities through apprenticeships and workforce development, and other policies that reduce student debt and make college more accessible for women, particularly women of color

Investing in Single Mothers’ Higher Education: Costs and Benefits to Individuals, Families, and Society

Postsecondary education is a reliable pathway to economic security and is increasingly important to securing family-sustaining employment. For single mother families, who make up a growing share of U.S. families, and who are especially likely to live in poverty, college attainment is a game changer for improving family well-being and meeting the demands of a changing economy.

Single Mothers in College: Growing Enrollment, Financial Challenges, and the Benefits of Attainment

DOWNLOAD REPORT Single student mothers are growing in [...]

Building Family-Friendly Campuses: Strategies to Promote College Success Among Student Parents

For parents, receiving a college degree is one of the best investments they can make to improve the financial security, social mobility, and overall well-being of their family.

4.8 Million College Students are Raising Children

Over a quarter (26 percent) of all undergraduate students, or 4.8 million students, are raising dependent children. Women are disproportionately likely to be balancing college and parenthood, many without the support of a spouse or partner.

By Barbara GaultLindsey Reichlin CruseElizabeth Reynolds and Meghan Froehner|2025-01-28T22:41:46-05:00November 17, 2014|Education and Career Advancement|Comments Off on 4.8 Million College Students are Raising Children

Securing a Better Future: A Portrait of Female Students in Mississippi’s Community Colleges

This report presents findings from a survey of female community college students in Mississippi conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and commissioned by the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi.

College Affordability for Low-Income Adults: Improving Returns on Investment for Families and Society

This report was prepared by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) as a part of a series of papers on defining college affordability sponsored by the Lumina Foundation. The report examines how efforts to understand and improve college affordability can be informed by the experiences and circumstances of low-income adults, students of color, and students with dependent children.

By Administrator|2025-01-28T22:41:46-05:00April 5, 2014|Education and Career Advancement|Comments Off on College Affordability for Low-Income Adults: Improving Returns on Investment for Families and Society