The United States currently has the world's largest prison population, emphasizing the need for effective reentry programs for individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration. Correctional education programs, particularly higher education, have been recognized for their role in offender rehabilitation, reducing recidivism rates, and improving post-release employability. However, limited research has explored the transformative potential of higher education on incarcerated students academically, socially, and personally. This study aimed to investigate the transformative effects of higher education on incarcerated students by examining their perceptions of how college has impacted them. Employing a phenomenological qualitative design, the study amplified the voices of incarcerated students, providing firsthand accounts of their experiences in higher education. Despite facing numerous challenges and barriers, incarcerated college students demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and the ability to overcome obstacles with support from teachers, peers, and the college itself. The findings revealed the multi-dimensional nature of their journey toward higher education, capturing both positive and negative aspects of their experiences. These insights derived from participants' lived experiences have the potential to shape the future of prison education programs and influence policy decisions. They highlight the role of higher education in personal transformation and societal reintegration, ultimately contributing to efforts to reduce recidivism. The study's outcomes provide recommendations for future research, addressing the need to improve the higher education experience for incarcerated college students and bridge the existing gap in understanding incarcerated students' perspectives. These recommendations aim to enhance the impact and effectiveness of prison education programs, fostering transformative change among incarcerated individuals. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]