First- and Second-Generation College Students: A Comparison of Their Engagement and Intellectual Development

Students who are the first in their family to attend college are less likely to graduate compared to students with one or both parents who have baccalaureate degrees. However, surprisingly little is known about the college experiences of first-generation students. This study examined the self-reported college experiences of 1,127 first-year students at a variety of four-year colleges and universities. First-generation students tended to be less engaged and gained less from college than their counterparts with college-educated parents did. These differences were primarily due to first-generation students having lower educational aspirations and living off campus.