59 Community College Enrollment Statistics

Key Community College Statistics

Community colleges are a crucial part of the American higher education system. They provide affordable and accessible education to millions of students across the country.

1. There are more than 9 million students enrolled in community colleges in the U.S.
2. Community colleges enroll around 41% of all undergraduate students in the U.S.
3. The average tuition and fees for a public four-year university are over $10,000 per year. In contrast, the average tuition and fees for a community college are only about $3,500 per year.
4. According to recent data, the average age of a community college student is 28 years old.
5. According to recent data, around 45% of community college students are first-generation college students.
6. There are over 1,000 community colleges in the United States.
7. 80% of community college students are employed while attending school.
8. 34% of community college students take at least one online course.

How Many People Are Enrolled In Community Colleges?

One of the most significant points to consider when discussing community colleges is the number of students enrolled in these institutions.

According to recent data, there are over 9 million students enrolled in community colleges across the United States. This number is expected to continue growing as more people recognize the value and accessibility of community college education.

Additionally, it's essential to note that many of these students come from underprivileged backgrounds and may not have had access to higher education otherwise.

Community colleges serve as a lifeline for these individuals, providing them with opportunities to build better futures for themselves and their families.

How Many Community Colleges Are In The U.S?

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, there are 1,167 community colleges in the United States.

Percentage of US Undergraduates Attending Community Colleges

Community colleges play a vital role in providing higher education opportunities to students across the United States. In fact, they serve as the gateway to higher education for many students who may not have access to traditional four-year universities.

According to recent statistics, community colleges enroll approximately 41% of all undergraduate students in the United States. This means that over two out of every five undergraduates are attending a community college.

This percentage is expected to continue growing as more people recognize the value and accessibility of community college education. With their affordable tuition rates, flexible schedules, and diverse course offerings, community colleges provide an excellent option for students looking to pursue higher education.

Community College vs. University Statistics

While community colleges and universities both offer higher education opportunities, they differ significantly in terms of cost, size, and degree programs.

According to recent statistics, the average tuition and fees for a public four-year university are over $10,000 per year. In contrast, the average tuition and fees for a community college are only about $3,500 per year.

Furthermore, community colleges tend to be smaller than universities.

On average, community colleges have about 5,000 students enrolled compared to universities which can have tens of thousands of students.

However, despite their smaller size and lower cost, community colleges offer a wide range of degree programs. In fact, many students choose to attend a community college first before transferring to a university to complete their degree.

Overall, while universities may offer more prestige and resources than community colleges do, there are many benefits to attending a community college that should not be overlooked.

Average Age of Community College Students

Many people have the misconception that community college students are all recent high school graduates. However, this is far from the truth.

According to recent data, the average age of a community college student is 28 years old. This means that many community college students are older adults who may be returning to school after several years in the workforce or those who are seeking to change careers.

In addition, because community colleges offer flexible schedules and online courses, they can accommodate non-traditional students such as working parents and military veterans.

This statistic highlights the importance of community colleges in providing education opportunities for individuals at any stage of their lives. By offering affordable tuition rates and flexible schedules, community colleges make it possible for anyone to pursue higher education and improve their future prospects.

Community College Acceptance Rate

The national average community college acceptance rate is 80%, as of 2023. For public community colleges, the average acceptance rate is around 88%.

One of the key advantages of community colleges is their high acceptance rates. Compared to four-year universities, community colleges tend to have much higher acceptance rates, making them an accessible option for students who may not meet the admission requirements of other institutions.

According to recent data, the average acceptance rate at a community college is around 100%, meaning that almost all applicants are accepted into the institution.

This is in contrast to some universities which can have acceptance rates as low as 5%.

This high acceptance rate makes community colleges an excellent option for students who are looking to explore different fields or career paths before committing to a specific degree program.

Additionally, community colleges often offer open enrollment policies, which means that students can enroll in courses without having to complete a rigorous application process.

Overall, the high acceptance rates at community colleges make them an accessible and welcoming option for students from all backgrounds and academic levels.

Colleges With Highest Community College Acceptance Rates

1. American Samoa Community College
2. Broward College
3. CUNY—College of Staten Island
4. Donnelly College
5. North Florida Community College

Community College Drop Out Rates

The dropout rates in community colleges are quite high. Approximately 43% of students of 2-year degrees in community colleges tend to drop out for many complex reasons.

Community College Graduation Rates

These findings from the NCES show the graduation rates of US community colleges.

• 2-year period: Only 13% of community college students tend to graduate in a span of two years.
• 3-year period: In a span of three years, the graduation rate rises to 22%.
• 4-year period: Around 60% tend to graduate from community colleges within four years.

Community College Cost

One of the most significant benefits of community colleges is their affordability. Compared to four-year universities, community colleges have significantly lower tuition rates, making them a more accessible option for students from all backgrounds.

According to recent data, the average cost of attending a community college for one year is around $3,500. This is significantly less than the average cost of attending a public four-year university, which can be over $10,000 per year.

Furthermore, many community colleges offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help offset the costs of tuition and fees.

This makes it possible for students who may not have had access to higher education otherwise to pursue their academic goals without incurring massive amounts of debt.

The affordability of community colleges also means that students can explore different fields and career paths without worrying about the financial burden of changing majors or taking additional courses.

Overall, the low cost of attending a community college makes it an excellent option for students who are looking to pursue higher education without breaking the bank.

Community College Demographics

Another crucial aspect to consider when it comes to community colleges is the demographics of their student populations.

According to recent data, around 45% of community college students are first-generation college students.

This means that they are the first in their families to attend college, highlighting the critical role that community colleges play in providing access to higher education for underrepresented groups.

Furthermore, community colleges serve a diverse student population, with many students coming from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Recent data shows that around 42% of community college students identify as people of color. Additionally, around 57% of all enrolled students are women.

These statistics highlight the importance of community colleges in promoting equity and accessibility in higher education.

By serving as a gateway to higher education for underrepresented groups, community colleges help bridge gaps in educational attainment and create opportunities for upward mobility for individuals and communities.

Community College Statistics By State

It's essential to understand the role of community colleges in each state to fully appreciate their impact on higher education. Here are some statistics that showcase community college enrollment and demographics by state:

• California: California boasts the largest community college system in the country, with 115 campuses serving over 2 million students. Around 70% of these students come from underrepresented groups, highlighting the critical role community colleges play in promoting equity and accessibility.
• Texas: Texas has over 50 community college districts serving around 700,000 students. A majority of these students come from diverse backgrounds, with around 54% identifying as people of color.
• Florida: Florida has a robust community college system consisting of 28 colleges serving over 800,000 students. These institutions are particularly vital for low-income students, with around 60% of all enrolled students receiving financial aid.
• New York: New York has a network of 30 community colleges serving over half a million students each year. These institutions play a crucial role in promoting educational equity, with around two-thirds of enrolled students coming from underrepresented groups.

These statistics show that community colleges are not only prevalent but also essential in every state across the country. They provide access to higher education for millions of individuals who might not have had it otherwise and promote equity and upward mobility for communities nationwide.

Number Of Community Colleges In The U.S.A

There are over 1,000 community colleges in the United States.

Community College Enrollment Statistics

1. In the fall of 2019, there were 5.3 million students enrolled in community colleges.
2. 41% of all undergraduate students in the US attend community college.
3. The average age of a community college student is 28 years old.
4. 57% of community college students are female.

Diversity In Community Colleges Statistics

1. 45% of community college students are non-white.
2. 23% of community college students are Hispanic.
3. 14% of community college students are Black.
4. 6% of community college students are Asian.
5. 2% of community college students are Native American.

Affordability Statistics

1. The average cost of tuition and fees at a community college is $3,730 per year.
2. Community college students save an average of $16,000 on tuition compared to students who attend four-year universities.
3. 36% of community college students attend school tuition-free.
4. 62% of community college students receive financial aid.

Community College Transfer Statistics

1. 49% of community college students transfer to a four-year university.
2. Community college students who transfer to a four-year university are more likely to graduate than students who start at a four-year university.
3. 81% of community college students who transfer to a four-year university transfer to a public institution.

Career and Technical Education Statistics

1. 44% of community college students are enrolled in career and technical education programs.
2. Community colleges offer over 700 different career and technical education programs.
3. The most popular career and technical education programs at community colleges are health professions, business, and engineering.

Workforce Development Statistics

1. 80% of community college students are employed while attending school.
2. Community colleges offer over 1,000 workforce development programs.
3. 70% of community college students who complete a workforce development program find a job in their field of study.

Community College Online Learning Statistics

1. 34% of community college students take at least one online course.
2. Community colleges offer over 13,000 online courses.
3. 61% of community college students who take online courses complete their degree or certificate.

Community College Student Success Statistics

1. 60% of community college students who complete an associate degree transfer to a four-year university.
2. 80% of community college students who complete an associate degree or certificate find employment in their field of study.
3. Community college students who complete an associate degree earn an average of $9,400 more per year than those with only a high school diploma.

Community College Student Support Statistics

1. 90% of community colleges offer tutoring services.
2. 80% of community colleges offer academic advising.
3. 70% of community colleges offer career counseling.

Community College Funding

Community colleges receive an average of 17% of their funding from state governments, 39% from local governments, and 24% from tuition and fees.

Faculty and Staff Statistics

1. Community colleges employ over 600,000 faculty and staff members.
2. 48% of community college faculty members are part-time.
3. The average salary for a community college faculty member is $56,000 per year.

Campus Life Statistics

1. 90% of community colleges offer extracurricular activities.
2. The most popular extracurricular activities at community colleges are sports, clubs, and student government.

Technology Statistics

90% of community colleges offer online registration, 80% offer online course materials, and 70% offer online testing.

Facilities Statistics

1. The average community college campus size is 120 acres.
2. Community colleges have an average of 8 buildings per campus.
3. The average community college classroom size is 24 students.

Transfer Partnerships Statistics

1. Community colleges have over 1,600 transfer partnerships with four-year universities.
2. Community colleges have transfer agreements with 90% of all public four-year universities.
3. Community colleges have transfer agreements with 60% of all private four-year universities.

Dual Enrollment Statistics

1. 1.4 million high school students take community college courses each year.
2. Dual enrollment students are more likely to graduate high school and attend college.
3. Dual enrollment students save an average of $8,000 on college tuition.

Community Impact Statistics

1. Community colleges contribute $809 billion to the US economy each year.
2. Community colleges create 13 jobs for every $1 million spent.
3. Community college graduates pay $6,200 more in taxes each year than those with only a high school diploma.

Student Health and Wellness Statistics

1. 70% of community colleges offer mental health services.
2. 60% of community colleges offer physical fitness facilities.
3. 50% of community colleges offer health clinics.

Student Engagement Statistics

80% of community college students participate in at least one extracurricular activity.

One important aspect to consider when discussing community college transfer students is the percentage of those who earn an associate's degree before transferring to a four-year institution. According to recent data, around 40% of community college students who transfer to a four-year university earn an associate's degree before transferring.

This statistic highlights the importance of community colleges in providing students with the opportunity to complete a two-year degree and then transfer to a four-year institution if they choose to do so. By earning an associate's degree first, transfer students can often save money on tuition costs and have a better chance of success when they transition to a four-year university.

How Many Community College Students Obtained Their Bachelor’s Degree Within 6 Years of Starting Community College?

It's important to note that community college students who transfer to a four-year university have a higher likelihood of obtaining their bachelor's degree than those who start at a four-year institution.

According to recent data, 61% of community college students who transfer to a four-year university complete their bachelor's degree within six years of starting community college. This highlights the effectiveness of community colleges in preparing students for success in higher education and beyond.

By providing affordable tuition rates, flexible schedules, and diverse course offerings, community colleges create opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to achieve their academic and career goals.

References

1. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-acceptance-rate
2. https://educationdata.org/college-dropout-rates/
3. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/community-colleges/
4. https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2001197