Why College Students Drop Out (And How Imagine Scholarships Makes a Difference)

Every year, nearly 40% of America’s college students watch their dreams of getting a college degree fade. It’s a bitter reality I know all too well.

In the 80’s, I started college full of excitement, only to be hit by the brutal reality of poverty in my first year. I had to walk away from college—even if it felt like a part of me died.

Times have changed, but the three reasons students drop out of college remain frustratingly familiar:

Cost

Tuition costs have been rising steadily. According to the U.S. News , the average sticker price for in-state tuition and fees at a ranked public college is now $10,662.?

For many families, this figure is a significant burden, especially when combined with the costs of accommodation, books, and daily expenses.?

Most students take on multiple jobs, sometimes full-time, just to remain in school and support their families.?

Juggling these responsibilities can be overwhelming, especially when they're unable to find financial aid to lessen their burden. This forces them to drop out.

Lack of support?

3 out of 5 students cited academic struggle as a major reason for leaving college.?

Some students, especially low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students, face a steep learning curve that can catch them off guard.?

The pressure to perform academically, coupled with a lack of effective study habits and time management skills, creates a burden. And without the right support systems in place, these students can feel overwhelmed. When every exam feels like a mountain to climb and every assignment feels like a test of endurance, they call it quits.

Misalignment with career goals

Sometimes, students realize their course of study doesn’t match their true interests or career goals. For some, this realization comes after a major life event, an internship, or simply the growing awareness that the field they’ve chosen isn’t what they expected (or doesn’t pay as much). This often happens because of a lack of early career counseling.?

The pressure to declare a major, coupled with the fear of “wasting time,” can lead to indecisiveness and second-guessing. They feel trapped in a program they no longer believe in and choose to opt out, feeling like it’s better to cut their losses than to invest further in a path that no longer resonates with them.

How Imagine Scholarships can help:

1. Financial aid

It breaks my heart to see students leave college because of financial strain. That’s why we’ve gathered over $9 billion in scholarships to help students access quality education and earn a degree. And here’s the best part—we offer more than just merit-based scholarships. There’s a scholarship for everyone, no matter their background or circumstances.

2. Academic support

We know that students need more than just financial aid. Getting into college is one thing, but surviving and thriving in it is a whole new ball game—one that too many students lose. That’s why we provide comprehensive support and equip students with the resources they need to succeed. From communication skills to counseling, we’ve got them covered.

3. Career coaching

We work closely with students to help them align their passions with their academic courses. We help them make informed decisions and gain confidence about their future, ensuring they have all it takes to excel beyond college.

Think of us as part of the college equation. We offer a full support system: college coaching, life coaching, and comprehensive financial aid—all in one place.

Your student deserves all the support they can get to make their college experience as successful as possible.

Visit our website today to learn more about how we can support your students on their educational journey.