The Value of Community Colleges: Recent Students' Motivations and Outcomes (2023)

This report from Strada provides a comprehensive examination of the motivations behind community college enrollment and the diverse outcomes students achieve. It highlights the multifaceted roles of community colleges in supporting varied educational and career objectives, emphasizing the importance of understanding student motivations beyond traditional measures of success like degree completion and transfer rates.

Main Takeaways:

• Diverse Student Motivations and Outcomes: Students enroll in community colleges for a variety of reasons including career advancement, personal fulfillment, and community contributions. While many achieve their goals, the fulfillment of career-related objectives is notably lower.
• Impact of Skills on Earnings and Satisfaction: Students who report developing skills such as critical thinking, communication, and leadership are more likely to achieve higher earnings and view their education as valuable.
• Economic Disparities: There are significant earnings disparities among alumni, particularly affecting minority groups. Students earning less than the median income threshold are less likely to perceive their education as worth the cost.
• Educational Value and Equity: First-generation students and students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups often report lower satisfaction, highlighting a need for targeted support and resources.