Why So Many Americans Drop Out of College, and What to Do About It

More people are going to college than ever before. But in the United States, about half the people who start don't finish. There are 37 million Americans with some college credits but no degree - more than 20 percent of the working-age population. In an economy that increasingly demands workers with knowledge and skills, many college dropouts are being left behind.

Getting Back to College

A lot of people who quit college want to go back. But money, time, and the demands of daily life often get in the way. Experts say colleges need to change if more people are going to get degrees.

The Value of a College Degree

There's a large and growing payoff to having a college degree. But not enough Americans are making it to graduation.

Quitting College

We asked people who dropped out of college why they left and whether they want to go back. Here's what they told us.

Another Kind of Higher Education

Most young Americans who finish high school now go on to college, but a lot of them drop out. Some experts say it would be more realistic for some of them to learn a trade.