‘Higher education essentially preserves intergenerational racial and class inequality’: How coronavirus could make it worse

With colleges squeezed for revenue, persistent problems are likely to continue.

For the past several weeks, families, college leaders and even lawmakers have been focused on the question of whether students will be returning to campuses this fall. But the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on America’s higher education landscape will likely far outlast the next semester, or even year.

One of the most devastating consequences of the public health crisis and the accompanying economic downturn for colleges and their students could be the way in which it exacerbates the inequality already...