In today’s knowledge-based economy, a college degree is a necessary qualification for entry to the middle class. In response to this economic reality, more young people than ever before are going to college. This report points out that despite record enrollment, too many college-qualified high school graduates are not planning to attend college at all, they are attending community college, or are enrolling in but not completing college simply because they cannot afford it. Most of those who finish school, and many who do not, are also finding themselves saddled with a debilitating level of student loan debt.