The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency
by Jamal Eric Watson
Publication Date: Sep 16, 2025
List Price: $28.99
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
ISBN13: 9781506495163
Imprint: Broadleaf Books
Publisher: 1517 Media
Parent Company: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Description of The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency by Jamal Eric Watson
The student debt crisis is a civil rights issue, and it’s time we start treating it like one.
Based on extensive interviews with students, college administrators, policymakers, and other leaders, The Student Debt Crisis illuminates one of the nation’s most urgent and pressing civil rights questions of the last three decades: Who gets to go to college? This book comprehensively examines the history and current state of the student debt crisis in the US. With a focus on the moral imperative of ensuring equal access to higher education, The Student Debt Crisis highlights the disproportionate impact of student debt on Black and brown students, particularly Black women. By delving into the history and practical realities of student debt, higher education journalist Jamal Watson sheds light on the challenges faced by debt-laden college graduates and non-graduates alike.
From the rising number of borrowers defaulting on their loans to the barriers that hinder accessibility for those from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, Watson offers a deeper understanding of the student debt crisis on macro and micro levels. As the spotlight on student debt continues to grow, The Student Debt Crisis is a vital resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of this issue. From policymakers shaping paths of action to families and students navigating educational choices, this book offers essential insights and potential solutions to these pressing challenges.