30 Incredible First-Generation Student College Options: Students From Non College Families Succeed At These Universities

On College Greenlight's best public colleges for low-income students list, it reveals that the University of California, Merced has the highest number of Pell Grant Recipients, at 60%. Additionally, the cost of this college for low-income students is $8,720, and 59% of Pell Grant Recipients graduate. But the college also has many first-generation students who do not receive the Pell Grant. Overall, 72.3% of the college's are the first in their family to attend college. If you want to be in a college that is filled with other non-academic background students, the University of California, Merced may be your best option!

Almost half of the University of Illinois at Chicago's students are low-income Pell Grant recipients, according to College Greenlight. This means that first-generation college students won't feel like they're in the minority in terms of their background. Washington Monthly also holds this college in high regard due to its treatment of students from non-academic backgrounds, naming it the 24th best college for these students. First-generation students at the University of Illinois at Chicago from a summer program that prepares them for the world of college before starting.

Harvard is undoubtedly still challenging for first-generation students. But it is included in this list due to evidence of working to address this challenge. Both First Generation Foundation and The Washington Post highlight groups within the college that are assisting with non-academic background student success, namely the First Generation Student Shared Interest Group and the Harvard First Generation Student Union. Harvard itself that its population of students who are the first in their family to attend college is now 15% and that it has implemented a range of resources for these students. However, it also acknowledges that it needs to do more for this demographic.

This college is one of several that are difficult for first-generation students to get into, but once they do, they are on a path to success. College Greenlight notes that low-income students pay $11,788 for tuition. But 89% of Pell Grant recipients graduate. First Generation Foundation notes that the campus of the college is incredibly friendly, inspiring and fun. However, RobertKelchen.com notes that only 8.5% of Oberlin's students are the first in their families to go to college. However, there is strong evidence that Oberlin College is addressing its barriers to first-generation student entry. For instance, it now has the Multicultural Visit and First Gen/Low-Income in STEM .

Peer support is the answer to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor's first-generation college student success. Both Study.com and First Generation Foundation praise the college's support networks. They have been running for over a decade and create meetings, scholarship connections, academic resources, and events. College Greenlight notes that the college's cost for low-income students is $5,470 and its Pell Grant recipient graduation rate is 82%. However, RobertKelchen.com's findings mean that the college ranks lower on our list, as the research reveals that University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has one of the smallest percentages of students whose parents didn't attend higher education of any public college. But for students from non-academic backgrounds that do enroll in the college, success often follows, as the college's is quick to show in its many testimonials.

The graduation rates at Pomona College are incredibly high. Washington Monthly states that 94% of those enrolled graduate within 8 years. It also notes that 23% of students are first-generation and ranks it the fourth-best liberal arts college for students of a non-academic background. College Greenlight reports that for Pell Grant recipients, the cost of tuition is $5,807. And Pomona College is incredibly dedicated to getting these students into high-quality careers. For example, it recently a business trip to San Francisco for first-generation students, so that they could experience business activities that they may not have been familiar with.

USA Today names the various Universities of California as the engines of social mobility in its state. It also notes that across the entire University of California system, 42% of undergraduate students are first-generation. University of California, Irvine is definitely playing a strong role in that process. The college is Washington Monthly's 12th best college for students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education, noting that it has a slightly higher enrollment of this demographic when compared to the average University of California college, at 44%. And College Greenlight notes that 87% of low-income students graduate. Perhaps the best department for students whose parents didn't go to college at the University of California, Irvine is Social Sciences, where they've the First Generation First Quarter Challenge. This program aims to ensure that all first-generation students succeed in their first year.

Washington Monthly reports that 18% of students are the first in their family to go to college at Brown. The source names the college the 112th best for first-generation students. However, College Greenlight features it on its list of the best colleges for low-income students, noting that the college costs $3,186 for these students and results in a 93% graduation rate for this demographic. The Washington Post notes that there is an entire center for non-traditional students on campus. This center any student who comes from a background that means that they are not familiar with the college experience.

This college's current first-generation student enrollment is somewhat low, but there are numerous signs that this is changing. Washington Monthly states that 18% of students are the first in their families to go to college and places it at 118th for the quality that it offers to these students. College Greenlight states that the number of Pell Grant recipients is lower, at 14%. But The Washington Post reports that in 2018, University of Pennsylvania 1vyG, which is the, "largest conference for first-generation, low income (FGLI) students in the world!"

This is one of four public colleges on this list where over half of the student body comprises of low-income Pell Grant recipient students. College Greenlight states that 56% of enrolled students receive this grant. What's even more impressive is that 68% of these students graduate, which is 9% higher than the national graduation rate. The college ensures that it achieves this high rate through a range of innovative initiatives. One is the college's to identify first-generation student professors who are willing to be mentors to current students who are from a similar background.

College of the Ozarks doesn't reveal the percentage of its students that are first-generation, but the Pell Grant data shows that it must be high. 62% of college students take Pell Grants, and 60% of these students graduate. However, this college's unique approach to college tuition and payment is not for everyone. College of the Ozarks is known as the, "work hard U." This is because the college doesn't charge students for its education. Instead, all students must on campus. Additionally, it is a Christian college, which will clearly be suited to some people more than others.

RobertKelchen.com notes that over 60% of California State University, Stanislaus students are the first in their family to attend college, making it the third highest four-year public college in terms of most first-generation students. However, what ensures its placement on this list is its relatively high graduation rate and incredibly cheap cost. According to College Greenlight, 53% of Pell Grant recipient college students graduate from this college, which is impressive for the number of non-academic background students it takes on. Additionally, the site notes that the price of this college for low-income students is only $3,794. As well as students, California State University, Stanislaus has faculty and staff members who were themselves the first in their family to go to college, meaning that they can help its student body succeed.

As one of America's 10 colleges, it's great to see that Florida International University takes on so many first-generation students. College Greenlight reports that the total number of students receiving a Pell Grant stands at 58%. That many of these recipients are also students whose parents didn't go to college is backed up in a college news from 2012, which stated that at the time, 53% of students were first-generation. Additionally, for low-income students, Florida International University costs $9,039. 53% of Pell Grant recipients graduate. And the college's First Generation Scholarship Program continues to gain strong support. In 2018, the state of Florida even to donate $2 per $1 donated to its First Generation Scholarship Program.

Salem College's Pell Grant recipient cost is among the highest of College Greenlight's best colleges for low-income students, at $12,272. However, there are many reasons why first-generation students should consider attending this college. It's one of only four private colleges where more than half of students receive a Pell Grant, for example. Additionally, Washington Monthly named it the 12th best liberal arts college for non-academic background student performance. The college also the Salem Firsts program, which is a series of lunch and learn workshops which acclimatizes students unused to academics to the demands of college attendance.

This is one of several colleges on this list that take on a small percentage of first-generation students but is included due to evidence of this changing. It is also included because there is strong evidence that the college really caters to its current students from non-academic backgrounds, no matter how small enrollment is. Washington Monthly notes that 13% of the college's students are first-generation. College Greenlight states that 14% of the college's students receive Pell Grants. Impressively, these students attain a 92% graduation rate. The Washington Post notes that recently, however, University of Chicago has hired Nelida Garcia, who was the founder of the Harvard First Generation Student Union when she studied at that college. Her current role is directly involved with bringing more students whose parents didn't go to college to the University of Chicago. One of the ways that this can be seen is through the college's of a first generation, low income and immigrant network.

The University of Pikeville tops Washington Monthly's list of the best liberal arts colleges for first-generation students. Over half of the students at this college are from families where neither parent went to college, and many of them benefit from a full scholarship that the college The Pikeville Promise. It's for low-income students who are Kentucky residents, but even if you're not a Kentucky local, you can probably access other forms of financial aid from the college. Additionally, the University of Pikeville's student services come highly recommended by current and former students. Olivia Charles , "As a first-generation college student, I came to UPIKE with a lot of mixed emotions However, with the help of my Student Success advisor I found answers to all my questions."

Washington Monthly states that this is the national university that is the best for first-generation students. It also notes that 54% of enrolled students at this college are from families whose parents didn't attend college. However, no other methodology sources feature it. And University of Phoenix, Arizona is certainly a college that some will find incredibly useful, while others will not. It's a for-profit college, where many of the degrees are online. In some corners, it is well regarded. For instance, the student review Niche.com gives the college four stars out of five based on over 12,000 student reviews. And as well as being online, the University of Phoenix, Arizona's course offerings appeal to first-generation students in a number of ways. Its classes are , with smaller course loads, and its professors have extensive experience in working with students from unique backgrounds.

Washington Monthly states that Grand Canyon University is the fifth best college for first-generation students and has a 49% enrollment of students whose parents didn't attend college. Grand Canyon University certainly has first-generation students in mind with its community outreach work. For example, it has the Students Inspiring Students Scholarship program, which 200 local high school graduates who wouldn't have had the opportunity to study at college otherwise. Additionally, this college offers many , which can serve as an appealing alternative form of study to students from non-academic backgrounds.

Over half of this college's student body is made up of low-income Pell Grant recipients, according to College Greenlight. And one of the college's goal is to, "offer an affordable education for the greatest number of its applicants and remain competitive with peer institutions' costs." This means that the college takes on many first-generation students. Additionally, the college has a wide range of scholarship , meaning that many potential students from non-academic families can be given a unique opportunity to attend college that would not usually be available.

45% of the students at Florida Institute of Technology are from families who have no college attending parents. This is fortunate, as Washington Monthly considers this college to be the sixth best in the country for first-generation attendees. While no other methodology lists feature this college, there are certainly many reasons why it should be a premier destination for students, no matter their background. Perhaps the top is that Florida Institute of Technology is the best university for graduate median earnings in the state of Florida.