In wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action in higher education, this article aims to address the potential consequences by examining the economic effectiveness of affirmative action, exploring its achievements and critiques, as well as the implications of race-neutral policies in promoting equity in the labor market.

Student loan debt has a negative impact on labor market outcomes and economic mobility, with disparate economic impacts for low-wealth households. Burdens fall more heavily on Black and Latinx borrowers and those who did not complete their degree.

Wealth inequality, societal expectations, and declining worker power worsen wage gaps by making it more difficult for people of color and women to search for better-paying jobs.