That changed dramatically with the Second World War G.I. Bill of Rights, which allowed millions to attend college. Many were the first in their family to do so. A significant portion attended community colleges, which blossomed in every state.

Community College Enrollments

COVID devastated higher education. The sharp decline in college enrollments, down by nearly a million since the start of the pandemic, continues. In fall 2021, colleges lost a staggering 465,000 students. Fall 2022 enrollment projections suggest continuing serious declines.

COVID is not the only reason students are forsaking higher education. A smaller demographic pool, as well as wide-spread disillusionment among potential students, are major factors as well.

The Student Clearinghouse Center reported a 15 percent student drop at community colleges (CCs) in 2021 compared with two years earlier. In response, CCs forged ahead with fresh, enhanced outreach efforts, creative financial assistance, and reenergized dual-enrollment programs with local high schools.

It would also help tremendously if community colleges retained more of their students. The “revolving door” syndrome has long been a problem at most CCs: Far too many students drop out -- never to return.  A retention increase of a mere ten percent would alleviate many budgetary problems and refocus CCs on their service missions. The following study may, I hope, encourage colleges to create more effective retention programs.

University of Florida Study: Key Findings

Benjamin Skinner, Justin Ortagus, and Melvin Tanner from the University of Florida have produced a report titled “Why community college students quit despite being almost finished.” I urge all to read the full report, published in The Conversation on February 2, 2022; it contains pertinent links, thoughtful analysis and useful recommendations.

The authors note that 6 out of 10 community college students drop out. Tragically, 10 percent of the students who quit were just a few credits shy of graduating.   

This study is of particular interest to H.O. readers since the vast majority of Hispanics begin their higher education studies at community colleges. Many attend; many drop out.

The project surveyed 27,000 former students from five large Florida community colleges. Ironically, they had maintained a “C” average or better. The study noted CC students deal with unique pressures and problems that four-year college students don’t. The report found eleven key issues faced by these CC students, which can be summarized as follows:

1. Costs were too high

Over half (53 percent) left due to the cost of tuition and fees. An additional 25 percent cited the cost of textbooks.

2. Living expenses were too high

Rent, utilities, health care, child care and food expenses were too high for 48 percent.

3. Exhausted their financial aid

Forty-three percent left because they lost financial aid. Students with poor grades or those who do not complete their degrees within prescribed timeframes lose assistance.

4. Unpredictable schedules

Twenty percent of students are parents; half attend CCs. Most have work and child care responsibilities. A third who quit mentioned unpredictable schedules for those obligations.

5. Students lacked key information

CC dropouts were not sure of graduation requirements. They complained advising was “limited or impersonal.” Twenty-four percent left because they were unsure of which courses to take next.

6. Students wrongly thought they had holds placed on their accounts

Sixteen percent of students who quit felt they could not register due to a financial hold. But the researchers note none of them were in that circumstance. Hispanics were twice as likely as Caucasian students to report they could not register due to a financial hold.

7. Health emergencies

Health emergencies led 17 percent to quit. For those over age 50, 20 percent quit.

8. Students secured a new job or lost their job

Most CC students work. Thirty-four percent left school as work changed from part-time to full-time employment. Fifteen percent left due to a promotion, and thirteen percent left because they needed to take on a second job. Twelve percent left because they lost their job. More men  than women – 22 percent versus 13 percent – reported that a career change forced them to quit.

9. Math and science courses were too difficult

Many students were not prepared for these college-level classes and struggled with them. Twenty-five percent left because they found these courses too hard.

10. Students lacked strong connections to campus

Many students leave college if they do not have a strong connection to the school.  Eleven percent said they did not have many friends on campus; eight percent did not feel welcomed on campus.

11. Online coursework and unreliable internet access

Many left due to poor Internet access and online problems. Twenty-five percent cited difficulty learning on their own. Twenty-four percent felt they did not have enough interaction with the online instructor; nine percent felt they did not have enough interaction with their peers. (This study predates the pandemic, which introduced more online learning.)

Bottom line

How many of these issues exist at our institutions? Are we doing better? Worse? Food for serious thought – and action.

Community Colleges revolutionized higher education.  Innovative to a fault, CCs introduced better classroom teaching, focused academic counseling, class schedules to meet the needs of students, not of institutions, policies to address the realities of working adults, and developmental courses to move students from their level to the required proficiency. And on and on.

For those useful reforms, which were highly successful, CCs were derided and scorned by established institutions. Yet many of these have now adopted community college counseling and teaching practices. Why? Because they work, they help students learn. Period.

For fifty years, I was fortunate to work at universities, four-year colleges, and  community colleges. I also served on 52 Regional Accreditation teams, which evaluated a wide range of colleges, from Ivy League schools to struggling two-year colleges.

I found Community Colleges the most effective in meeting student needs. I am confident they will lead the way, with thoughtful planning, towards moving higher education beyond the pandemic and beyond the enrollment slump.