Community college is often touted as an affordable start for students who want to earn bachelor’s degrees. Yet only 13% of community college students actually go on to earn degrees from four-year institutions within eight years, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Education in 2023

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With their open enrollment policies and low tuition, community colleges offer crucial access to higher education. They educate 41% of all U.S. undergraduates, according to the Community College Research Center. And when those students enroll, 83% plan to transfer to four-year schools, according to the Center for Community College Student Engagement.

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Two-thirds of community college students take classes part time. And they often juggle jobs, caregiving and other obligations that can disrupt their education.

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Research suggests statewide policies to make transferring easier can help students earn bachelor’s degrees and avoid taking unnecessary classes.

  • i_dont_want_to
    4·
    4 months ago

    Oh man I thought I was just doing school wrong. A lot of my buddies with a leg up over me (parental help with college mostly) were able to get their 4 year degrees in 4-6 years.

    I couldn’t afford that and went to community college. The advisors didn’t really know a lot, I came prepared and they couldn’t really answer my questions. I had a lot going on but I persisted. Then some of the transfer scholarships were no longer offered by the 4 year college I wanted to transfer to. (That tripled my cost right there.) And I had to fight them on how credits transferred. (Which would have cost me if I didn’t challenge them.) And they would only take a certain number of transferred credits. (Which again… Cost more money.)

    I was still able to get my “4 year” degree it was an incredibly difficult process. It was worth it because it enabled me to get a six figure job.

    I’m glad for this article because honestly I thought I was just… Really bad at making life decisions seeing how much easier it seemed my peers could get a degree. Sad though for the rest of my homies with limited support.