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Balancing school with parenting is not for the faint of heart. Parents who have to take care of their kids while also attending lectures and completing homework assignments work against the clock and are at a higher risk of burnout than most students. Finances are a big issue, too: colleges in the U.S. aren’t cheap, and having to pay off student loans while raising children requires expert-level budgeting.
And yet, student parents are more common than most people seem to believe. An estimated one-fourth of all students in the U.S. are parents, although this number has been declining over the past decade. That’s why it’s so important to understand what unique challenges student parents face – and how to help them.
Student Parents in College Statistics
Having kids is one of the biggest motivations, so it’s no wonder that quite a lot of people break the traditional timeline and decide to go to college after becoming parents. They want to be able to afford the best life for their child, and getting a degree is a great stepping stone for that.
So, how many college students are parents?
- One-fourth of college students are parents. About 25% of college students are parents, with about 18% getting their undergraduate degree.
- The number of parenting students depends on the program and major. It’s common for young people freshly out of high school to choose a major based on what they are interested in at the moment. In contrast, student parents typically go with something practical that will let them have a secure career immediately after graduation.
- The gender divide. The majority of student parents (74%) are women, and their average age is significantly higher than the college average, at 35 years old.
- POC representation. People of color make up 55% of all parenting students, which is also a little higher than the number of racial and ethnic minorities among non-parenting students.
Average Age of Parents of College Students
It’s not really surprising that the average age of student parents is higher than that of non-parenting students – 35 years old vs. 23 years old. Parenthood brings people back to school because they want to further their careers and improve their incomes for the sake of their kids. It’s no wonder that out of every five students who are parents, three are 30 and older.
Race and ethnicity also play into the average age of parents in college. Most Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander student parents are in their thirties, whereas Hispanic students are the youngest ethnic group among student parents, with a median age of 30. The program and major can affect the median student age – for example, student parents enrolled in nursing and social work programs tend to be older – but the differences aren’t that significant.
Also, the age of student parents correlates with their marital status. The median age of married student parents is about 34; for their unmarried peers, it’s about 30. About 80% of them have one or two children, but kids’ median ages vary across racial and ethnic groups.
How Much Debt Should Parents Take on for College
The cost of higher education is a big issue in the U.S. Immense expense is the number one reason people cite for not getting a degree and knowingly putting themselves at a disadvantage in today’s harsh labor market. For reference, as of 2025, the average student loan debt is almost $40,000, which explains why so many people are reluctant to take out student loans.
For most student parents, finances are an even bigger problem than for their non-parenting peers. Unless they get help from their families, they need to be able to support themselves and their kids – all while having to pay for college. Between parenting and studying, working full-time isn’t always possible, which makes student loans basically the only option.
As a result, student parents, particularly single student parents, have higher student loan debt than other demographic groups.
Student Parents’ Academic Performance
Despite having more responsibilities to juggle than an average student, student parents do surprisingly well in college. Their average GPA is 3.17, which is a little higher than the average among non-parents (3.15). One of the possible explanations for this is that student parents are more motivated than their non-parenting peers because they have children who depend on them.
That said, analyzing parents in college by numbers can’t boil down to their GPA alone. Student parents are more likely to enroll in part-time programs or choose online options, as well as select less academically demanding programs (for example, those offered at community colleges).
Why Support for Parents of College Students Is Essential
While the average GPA among parenting students is impressive, their graduation rates aren’t. Only 37% of student parents graduate within six years after enrollment, which is almost twice as low as the average among their non-parenting peers. The financial strain of getting a degree, paired with the challenges associated with balancing parenting with studies, contributes to dropout rates.
Parenting students face multiple obstacles that make their academic journeys harder: childcare, financial struggles, conflicting commitments (like balancing family with school and work), and more. Also, a lot of student parents find it hard to cope with the stress of juggling multiple important commitments simultaneously. As a result, they often experience burnout and drop out because of mental health struggles.
The decline in student parents over the past decade shows that it’s getting harder for people to enroll in college after becoming parents. Failure to get higher education robs parents of an opportunity to increase their income, which takes a toll both on individual families and the economy overall. It’s in everyone’s best interest, including schools, to do everything they can to improve the accessibility of higher education for parents.
How Schools Can Support Student Parent Success
There are quite a few things colleges and universities can do to support parenting students, including:
- On-campus childcare options. Research suggests that parents who use on-campus childcare services are three times more likely to graduate. And yet, only 28% of U.S. colleges currently have on-campus childcare.
- Flexible course scheduling and online class options. Parenting students are more likely to choose online programs over traditional offline ones. It’s in schools’ best interest to expand access to online education – so parents can choose the programs they actually want without having to compromise.
- Accommodations for parenting students. More than half of parenting students report feeling unwelcome at their colleges. Part of changing this is designing family-friendly policies, such as flexible deadlines, for parents to be able to keep up with the curriculum.
- Financial aid. Finally, loans and flexible payment plans can help more parenting students successfully graduate. Colleges should provide consulting services to help parents who consider enrolling explore their options.
Helpful Tips for Parenting Students
Of course, support from schools and other institutions would make parenting students’ lives much easier. But even without it, there are a few strategies that can help student parents navigate all the responsibilities they have. A little consistency, discipline, and self-care can go a long way.
1. Stick to a Schedule
Parents’ schedules can be hectic, and it’s not always possible to stick to a consistent routine. However, try to develop one and follow it, even if it’s semi-flexible. Not only will a schedule help you improve your time management, but it will also reduce stress, which is very important when life is already stressful.
To make the most out of the 24 hours you have, start with a time audit. Try to identify the small habits that are robbing you of your time, for example, scrolling first thing in the morning. These may seem like small things, but they add up.
2. Lean on Others Whenever Possible
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Being able to request an extension or ask a family member to babysit isn’t a weakness. On the contrary, it’s a sign that you know what really matters and are willing to prioritize it.
A lot of parents, including parenting students, can’t tolerate the idea of “inconveniencing” anyone. But it never hurts to ask – if your sister would rather go out than babysit your kid, she’ll come up with an excuse.
3. Remember to Take Care of Yourself, Too
A good parent will normally prioritize their child’s well-being over their own, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, if you consistently neglect your own needs to make sure that everyone else in your life is comfortable, you’ll burn out in no time.
No matter how busy your schedule is, try to find at least a few minutes for yourself every day to take care of yourself. Dance for 15 minutes to your favorite playlist. Buy yourself a sweet treat. If you feel like you need it, ask around about affordable counseling services to talk to a mental health professional about how you’re feeling.
4. Drop Perfectionism and Set Realistic Expectations
The most important thing a busy student parent should learn is the “good enough” rule. If you try to do everything perfectly, you won’t get anything done at all. Perfectionism just isn’t a realistic approach when you have so much going on.
Instead, let everything you do be just good enough. Write a good enough essay to not fail. Cook a good enough dinner for your child. Give a good enough presentation at work. It’s impossible to do everything perfectly yet actually get things done, so choose what matters more.
5. Remember What You’re Doing It All for
Parents who have to work or study (or work and study) while taking care of their kids often feel guilty. While it’s a normal emotion, all it does is make things even harder. Self-blame takes up a lot of mental energy and contributes to student parents’ already fragile mental health.
Whenever you feel like you are being a bad parent, remember why you are in school in the first place. Your goal is to be able to afford the best life your child can possibly have, and that’s what you are working so hard for. It’s okay to miss their school theater performance if you have a test. They’ll understand one day.
Conclusion: Supporting Student Parents in College
The statistics above clearly demonstrate that student parents are a significant and highly motivated part of the academic community, yet they face disproportionate challenges. Balancing academics, parenting, and finances often leads to high dropout rates, despite their more than impressive GPAs. It is crucial for schools to recognize this and provide student parents with targeted support to ensure these students don’t just enroll, but can successfully graduate.