Halfway to nowhere: Why thousands of New York students are leaving college without degrees

Higher education has long been seen as a ticket to a better life, a clear, dependable way to move ahead. But in New York, that promise is starting to feel less certain. Yes, more students are getting into college than ever before. But a growing number aren’t finishing what they started, and for many, especially those already struggling, the odds feel stacked against them.

Take students who began college in 2017 and 2018. Their journeys tell a worrying story. A lot of them are still trying to complete their degrees years later, while many others have stepped away without graduating. What used to feel like a straight road now looks more like a maze, with no guaranteed way out.

When debt stays but the degree doesn’t

For those who leave college early, the impact can be harsh. New York’s student debt has climbed past $96 billion, a reminder of just how widespread the burden has become. And the old idea that a degree automatically leads to financial stability is starting to crack.

A 2024 report by the Community Service Society of New York found that nearly one in four New York City residents struggles to repay student loans. What stands out is that many of them are working, they’re just not earning enough. For students who never completed their degrees, it’s even harder. They’re left with loans to repay, but without the qualification that might have helped them earn more.

Struggling before college even begins

Some educators say the problem starts much earlier. Not every student arrives at college ready for what it demands. The transition can be overwhelming, especially for those who didn’t get strong academic support in school.

Even for students who can handle the coursework, money often becomes the bigger challenge. Tuition is just one part of the story. Rent, travel, books, food, these everyday expenses add up quickly.

For many, leaving college isn’t about giving up on education. It’s about dealing with immediate realities. When bills pile up or family responsibilities take over, staying enrolled can feel impossible. In that sense, dropping out is less a choice and more a forced decision.

Efforts to ease the burden

The state has started to respond. In its proposed 2027 budget, New York plans to keep funding free community college programmes and freeze tuition for in-state students at SUNY and CUNY institutions.

These moves could help, especially for students worried about rising costs. But the problem runs deeper than fees alone. Academic support, financial stability, and job prospects after college all shape whether a student makes it through.

A system that opens doors, but doesn’t always carry students through

What’s emerging is a system that’s good at getting students in, but less reliable at helping them finish. Access has improved, but outcomes remain uneven.

For many young people in New York, college no longer feels like a guaranteed path forward. Instead, it can feel like a gamble, one that doesn’t always pay off.

Looking ahead
If higher education is to regain trust, the focus needs to change. It’s not enough to celebrate rising enrollment numbers. The real measure of success is whether students can stay, complete their degrees, and move on without being weighed down by debt.

Until then, too many students will continue to find themselves stuck in between, holding on to the hope of what education promised, but facing a reality that falls short.

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