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Title: Single Mothers with College Degrees: Much Less Likely to Live in Poverty

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2018

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Abstract: Earning a postsecondary degree is a well-established pathway out of poverty, and degrees are especially life-changing for women raising children on their own. Analysis by the Institute for Women's Policy Research finds that in 2016, single mother poverty rates were an average of 33 percent lower at each additional level of education, with bachelor's degree attainment or higher leading to decreases in single mother poverty of over 40 percent compared with one degree lower. Just 13 percent of single mothers who hold a bachelor's degree live in poverty compared with 41 percent with only a high school diploma (Figure 1). Figure 1. Share of Women Aged 25 and Older Living in Poverty by Marital Status, Parental Status, and Educational Attainment, 2016 Notes: Single women include those who are never married, widowed, divorced, or separated and can include women living with a cohabiting partner. Single and married mothers include women with children under 18 years of age. Source: IWPR analysis of 2016 American Community Survey microdata (Integrated Public Use Microdata Series, Version 6.0). Increasing degree completion among single mothers would have a substantial effect on family economic security. Just 24 percent of single mothers aged 25 and older have an associate or bachelor's degree, compared with 27 percent of women without children and 37 percent of married mothers (Figure 2).

Url: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/86922

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Authors: Reichlin Cruse, Lindsey; Gault, Barbara; Milli, Jessica

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Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Poverty and Welfare

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