Students report excellent value delivered by community colleges, but more needs to be done to connect college to career
How do those who attended community college perceive the value of their experience? A new report from Strada Education Foundation analyzes data from a nationally representative survey of recent community college students, including those who completed degrees or certificates and those who did not. The results reveal what was most important to them and how they believe their education has influenced their lives.
Among the key findings:
- Community college attendees who complete an associate degree or transfer value their education at rates much higher than those who did not complete a credential, and comparable to or higher than recent bachelor’s degree completers.
- While career motivations are the most common reason for enrolling, they are the least likely to be fulfilled, with just under half of former students reporting that their education helped them to achieve their desired career outcomes.
- Though only about 1 in 3 community college attendees in the study had completed an associate degree, most report completing what they sought from their community college experience.
Join us at 2 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, Sept. 7, for a webinar moderated by Ruth V. Watkins, Strada president of postsecondary education, and featuring a presentation of the research from Nichole Torpey-Saboe, Strada managing director of research. The webinar discussion will include these community college experts:
- Juan Salgado — Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago
- Pascale Charlot — Managing Director, College Excellence Program, Aspen Institute
- Eloy Ortiz Oakley — President and CEO, College Futures Foundation
