Final answer:
A study from 2010 reveals that 60% of college students achieve their educational goals within six years of enrollment, taking into account various graduation timelines and the additional hurdles that first-generation students face.
Step-by-step explanation:
A study done in 2010 found that only 60% of college students completed their goal 6 years after starting school. This is based on data which indicates that 40% of full-time students graduated in four years, 30% in five years, 20% in six years, and 10% in seven years. Moreover, the Center for Student Opportunity highlights the challenges for first-generation college students, noting that 89% do not earn an undergraduate degree within six years. Additionally, the United States' college graduation rates compared to other countries and the employment landscape for college graduates in relation to their major fields of study provide further context to these statistics.