AMES Iowa
Many Iowa
community college graduates are opting to transfer out of the state to complete
four-year degrees, according to an Iowa
State University
study.
Researchers found that 1,220 associate degree holders went
on to Iowa’s public universities
in 2003. But another 392 left the state to attend four-year colleges.
The loss of in-state students could translate into a loss of
revenue for schools, said Frankie Santos Laanan, who conducted the study as an
associate professor in ISU’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Studies.
To keep enrollment up, he said universities may want to
evaluate how easily community college students can transfer credits as they
move on. Otherwise, students have to retake courses.
“Are we truly creating a seamless transition?” he
asked. “The question is, can they get a four-year degree at a regents
(institution) in a timely fashion … that doesn’t break the bank?”
The study tracked the paths taken by Iowa
community college students who in 2002 received associate of arts degrees and
associate of applied sciences degrees. It also looked at those who didn’t
receive degrees.
The top choices among out-of-state schools for community
college students included: Western Illinois
University in Macomb,
which charges in-state tuition for residents of the Iowa Quad Cities; and Northwest
Missouri State University
in Maryville, which also makes
special efforts to accommodate community college students.
Information from: The Des Moines Register,
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/
– Associated Press
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