Community College Students Lagging When It Comes To Finishing 4-Year Degrees

The word is not good when it comes to  community college graduates going on to earn 4 year degrees. 

Nationwide only about one third of students who start at community colleges ultimately transfer to four-year colleges,  and only 16% earn a bachelor’s degree within six years.

That is according to the Community College Research Center at Columbia University, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Among students from low-income families, only 11% of them transfer from a community college to a 4 year college and complete a bachelor’s degree  within 6 years.

Nine percent of black students who transfer from a community college earn a bachelor’s degree within 6 years of entering a 4 year university.

How does that compare to students who spend all 4 years at one college.

69% of students who start at a four-year public university complete their bachelor’s degree within six years.  78% of students at four-year private colleges complete their bachelor’s degree within 6 years.

Coed, multiethnic group of college students study on center campus lawn on a beautiful spring day. The three in the foreground writing in their notebooks and reading a textbook. There are other students in the background studying, talking, and walking on the sidewalk. There is a large university building behind them.

Photo from Alpha Media USA Portland OR