For years, it was common to hear that only 3% of young people in foster care graduate from college. That statistic — drawn from small, decades-old studies — shaped how the public, policymakers and even students themselves thought about foster care education outcomes.
But new research tells a different story. A systematic review of the best available studies between 2000 and 2023 shows that while challenges remain, young people with foster care experience are achieving far more than outdated statistics suggest.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation highlighted some of the findings during a Senate Caucus on Foster Youth briefing this summer, emphasizing what they mean for practice and policy to support older youth as they transition from foster care to independent adulthood.
Updated Data on Foster Youth Education
The Secondary and Postsecondary Education Outcomes of Students with Experience in Foster Care study, led by Nathanael Okpych of the University of Connecticut, is the most comprehensive review in a generation. It found:
- Foster youth high school graduation: 69%–85% complete a high school diploma or GED compared to 95% of young people overall.
- Foster youth postsecondary education enrollment: 29%–64% enroll in college or other postsecondary programs.
- Foster youth college completion: 8%–12% earn a two- or four-year degree by their mid- to late 20s. By contrast, about 49% of young adults in the general population complete a degree — a five-fold difference.
These results replace the long-standing 3% myth with a more accurate picture: progress has been made, but major challenges remain.
Why These Foster Care Findings Matter
The new research reflects two important realities:
- Progress: Many more young people with foster care experience are completing high school and pursuing college.
- Challenges remain: Foster youth college success still lags far behind that of their peers, largely due to barriers such as unstable housing, loss of financial supports at age 21 and limited access to mentoring or guidance.