© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

MSU aims to boost low income students' success

June Youatt
https://provost.msu.edu/

Higher education has long been seen as a ticket out of poverty for low-income students. And in today’s competitive work environment, a college degree is more important than ever for securing a place in the middle class. The number of low-income students enrolling at four year schools has grown around 20-percent over the past several decades. But while more of those kids are making it to college, graduating is still a struggle.Only 24-percent of low-income students enrolled at public four-year colleges graduate on time according to the Council of Independent Colleges.

Current State talks with Michigan State University provost June Youatt and Leo Ornelas, a senior majoring in criminal justice.

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.