Transportation and College Access in Detroit

What is it about?

Detroit’s fragmented and inadequate public transportation system creates barriers for students trying to access community colleges. By analyzing education data and maps, we found that many students face long commutes – whether driving or on the bus – which may impact their ability to enroll and succeed in college. Although the study does not prove that transportation barriers directly cause lower college enrollment and persistence, we identify clear patterns that deserve further attention.

Featured Image

Photo by Clay LeConey on Unsplash

Photo by Clay LeConey on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study highlights that geography and transportation play a crucial role in college access, an issue that has often been overlooked. Improving transportation options could help address educational inequities, and long-term investments in better infrastructure could make higher education more accessible for Detroit students.

Perspectives

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We hope our findings help advance cross-system collaborations to improve and expand Detroit’s transportation infrastructure, making it easier for college students to reach their postsecondary destinations.

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