How Collegians Conceptualize and Experience Social Class

The researchers sought to understand how collegians conceptualized social class and how social class impacted their experiences on a college campus. Using a qualitative approach, interview data was obtained from 16 randomly selected undergraduate students at a midsize, selective, private institution in the southern United States. Findings from the study revealed the main factors collegians think about regarding social class are familial background, money, and at-college experiences. The study also identified emergent themes related to how social class influenced their collegiate experiences, including their mental health, access and restrictions, time management, and campus experiences. Understanding how college students conceptualize social class can influence the strategies universities implement to curate experiences for them.