Characteristics of Community College Students

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Students Juggle Priorities

Most students attend classes and study while working; caring for dependents; and struggling to balance personal, academic, and financial challenges. Colleges can help students plan their coursework around their other commitments and develop skills to manage the demands on their time.

Attending college (N=7,147,084) Caring for dependents 11 or more hours per week Full-time students Part-time students (N=315,634) (N=121,177) 40% Full-time students 30% Yes 37% 60% Part-time students Source: IPEDS, fall 2011

Source: 2012 CCSSE Cohort data Working more than 30 hours per week Taking evening and/or weekend classes Full-time students Part-time students Full-time students Part-time students (N=316,144) (N=121,395) (N=311,464) (N=119,301)

19% Yes 41% 13% Yes 38%

Source: 2012 CCSSE Cohort data Source: 2012 CCSSE Cohort data

Students’ Aspirations and Attainment: Fewer Than Half of Students Reach Their Goals

Available data show a sizable gap between the percentage of entering students who aim to complete a credential and the percentage of those who actually do. Please indicate whether your goal(s) for attending this college Six years after beginning community college, fewer than half of include the following: students who entered college with a goal of earning a degree or 100% certificate have earned a credential, have transferred to a four- year institution, or are still enrolled in their community college. 79% 80% 75% 58% 45% Completed a certificate or 60% degree, transferred, or are still enrolled six years after 40% beginning college

20% n= n= n= Source: U.S. Department of Education, NCES. (2001). Beginning postsecondary students longitudinal 91,061 91,736 91,308 study 1996–2001 (BPS: 96/01). Analysis by Community College Research Center. 0% Complete a Obtain an Transfer to a four-year certificate program associate degree college or university

Note: Respondents may indicate more than one goal. Source: 2012 SENSE Cohort data (entering students)

Published by the Center for Community College Student Engagement Characteristics of Community College Studentss ©2014 Permission granted for unlimited copying with appropriate citation Testing Indicates Many Students Are Underprepared

CCSSE respondents who report that they took a placement SENSE respondents who report that their placement tests test and the test indicated that they needed developmental indicated they needed developmental coursework in at least one education in at least one area (N=69,767) area (N=49,942)

75% Yes 67% Yes

Source: 2012 CCSSE Promising Practices data Source: 2012 SENSE Cohort data (entering students)

Students’ Plans After the Current Semester

Asked about their plans after the current semester, almost one-quarter (21%) of CCSSE respondents report that they have no plan to return to college or are uncertain about their future plans. These data suggest an opportunity for colleges to help students establish academic plans and pathways that will help them persist in college.

When do you plan to take classes at this college again? (N=434,944) “I was going to go full time, but with my schedule and the kids, and working, it wasn’t realistic. I will accomplish my I have no current 12% 5% goal(s) during this term [My advisor] helped me be more realistic with plan to return and will not be returning planning my classes. I’m [attending] part time Uncertain 16% now, and I can’t imagine taking one more class 67% Within the next 12 months right now.” Student

Source: 2012 CCSSE Cohort data

Student and Faculty Views: What Stands Between Students and Their Aspirations CCSSE and CCFSSE data indicate that many faculty members are more likely than students to believe that various circumstances, including working full time, caring for dependents, or being academically underprepared, would be likely causes for students to withdraw from classes or college. Student responses

100% Faculty perceptions 81% 78% 80% 73% 72%

60% 49% 39% 40% 29% 19% 20% N= N= N= N= N= N= N= N= 435,389 33,613 434,143 33,521 432,568 33,576 434,025 33,497 0% It is likely or very likely that It is likely or very likely that caring It is likely or very likely that being It is likely or very likely that working full time would cause for dependents would cause academically unprepared would lacking finances would cause you (students at this college) to you (students at this college) to cause you (students at this college) you (students at this college) to withdraw from class or college withdraw from class or college to withdraw from class or college withdraw from class or college

Sources: 2012 CCSSE Cohort data and 2012 CCFSSE Cohort data