Roadmap to Generational Wealth: Post-Secondary Education
What you need to know about Post-secondary Education
Education and training after high school can lead to higher-paying careers, more job mobility, and long-term economic security. In 2024, full-time workers age 25 and older with a bachelor's degree earned a median of $1,543 per week, compared with $1,099 for an associate degree and $930 for a high school diploma.
Access to these benefits is not equal. In 2025, 28% of Black adults had outstanding student loans, compared with 14% of White adults. Family wealth, college costs, institutional resources, and other systemic barriers can affect both the cost of education and its financial return.
The NAACP supports more affordable postsecondary education, stronger student protections, debt-free pathways, and equitable investment in HBCUs and other under-resourced institutions.
How to make informed post-secondary education decisions?
- DO compare the net price of schools and programs, including grants, scholarships, housing, transportation, books, food, and other costs.
- DO complete the FAFSA for free and check federal, state, and school deadlines to access grants, work-study, loans, and other aid.
- DO use resources like College Scorecard to compare costs, graduation rates, student debt, earnings, and program outcomes.
- DO confirm that your school and program are properly accredited and meet any licensing or certification requirements for your career.
- DO compare different paths into your career since a degree, certificate, technical program, or Registered Apprenticeship may offer different costs and benefits.
- DO plan for completion by knowing your required credits, financial aid rules, and available academic and advising support.
Don'ts:
- DON'T pay someone to complete the FAFSA or trust scholarships that guarantee money, demand upfront fees, or pressure you to act quickly.
- DON'T sign an enrollment or financing agreement before understanding the school's withdrawal, cancellation, and refund policies.
- DON'T assume your credits will transfer automatically. Confirm how another school will accept them before making a transfer plan.