This second edition delivers a comprehensive update on the progress, challenges, and developments shaping the landscape of college access and completion in the United States over the past decade.

Chapters explore key changes in student demographics, laws and policies, financial aid reforms, and more, addressing critical questions about what is currently known and unknown in the research. Leading scholars offer evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to overcome challenges and improve outcomes for all students, with a particular emphasis on underserved populations. With refreshed discussion of financial wellness, transfer pathways, and student success initiatives, this new edition is an essential resource for graduate students, educators, policymakers, and researchers.