The report, “Act On Fact: Using Data to Improve Student Success,” found that community college students have diverse educational goals: 50 percent of respondents indicate that their primary goal is to transfer to a four-year college or university; 58 percent say their primary goal is to obtain an associate’s degree; 16 percent report they are taking classes at more than one institution simultaneously; and 25 percent have already earned some kind of postsecondary credential – a vocational certificate or an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. Almost two-thirds, or 61 percent, of those who were surveyed attend college part-time.
Typically older than the traditional 18 to 22-year-old college student (the average community college student is 29), most community college students are juggling their studies with other responsibilities to jobs and families. Thirty-two percent of survey respondents have children living at home, and 57 percent work more than 20 hours a week. Most are financially independent of their parents, and 45 percent of surveyed students report that lack of finances would be a likely or very likely cause for them to drop out of college.
Despite the challenges they face, community college students express a high degree of satisfaction with their educational experience. Ninety-four percent would recommend their college to a friend or family member, and 86 percent rate their overall educational experience at the college as good or excellent.
--Diverse staff
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
