A majority of today’s college students are balancing work and school, but not all working students experience higher education the same way. This brief draws on data from more than 40,000 respondents to the 2025 Student Financial Wellness Survey to distinguish between “students who work” and “workers who are students”. The findings reveal two groups with markedly different financial responsibilities, academic pathways, and support needs. By moving beyond a one-size-fits-all view of working learners, this research highlights opportunities for institutions to design more responsive policies and targeted supports to improve outcomes and advance equity in higher education.
