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Community College Transfer Rates: Study Reveals Impact of Distance from Four-Year Universities

A recent study conducted by the RP Group has examined the challenges faced by community college students in California who reside at considerable distances from four-year universities, a situation often referred to as “university education deserts.” The findings indicate that students in these areas experience notably lower transfer rates compared to their peers attending colleges closer to four-year institutions.

Study Overview

The RP Group, which provides research for California’s community college system, reports that the majority of community colleges are situated within a 25-mile radius of a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campus. The study particularly focused on 29 colleges located more than 25 miles away from these institutions, revealing a decline in transfer rates corresponding to increased distance from a four-year university. Specifically, colleges located at least 87 miles from the nearest CSU or UC reported a transfer rate of only 28%, which is eight percentage points lower than those within a 25-mile distance.

Distance Impact on Transfer Rates

Community colleges situated between 27 and 78 miles from a university exhibited a smaller gap, with a transfer rate of 33%, in comparison to 36% for closer institutions. The executive director of the RP Group, Darla Cooper, emphasized the necessity of providing education in proximity to students rather than requiring students to travel significant distances for education.

Factors Affecting Transfer Success

In addition to geographic barriers, the study highlights various factors affecting transfer success. These include student engagement in academic programs, timely completion of transferable courses, and consistent consultations with academic advisors. Financial constraints are also a prominent concern, with many students citing the cost of attending a university as a significant obstacle to pursuing further education.

Legislative Changes and Workforce Considerations

These findings arrive amid ongoing discussions regarding workforce shortages in critical sectors such as education and nursing, which have prompted state officials and policymakers to consider expanding bachelor’s degree offerings at community colleges. Legislation passed in California in 2021 enables community colleges to offer up to 30 bachelor’s degree programs annually, resulting in the approval of 45 such programs to date.

Tensions Between Community Colleges and Universities

However, existing regulations prevent community colleges from establishing programs that overlap with current CSU or UC offerings without prior consultation, leading to occasional tensions between community colleges and four-year institutions.

Research Analysis and Findings

The RP Group’s analysis focused on first-time college students enrolled in community colleges from 2012 to 2017, evaluating their transfer outcomes over a six-year period. The research categorized community colleges based on their proximity to public universities, identifying two tiers located in “university education deserts.”

Results indicated that students at Tier 1 institutions, which are the most distant from public universities, encountered significant disparities in transfer rates compared to those from Tier 3 colleges, which are closest to universities. The study noted that students from Tier 1 colleges frequently opted to transfer out of state for bachelor’s degrees, reflecting the challenges they face in accessing nearby educational opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Future research endeavors aim to examine the broader implications of distance from not only public universities but also nonprofit and out-of-state institutions. Recent panel discussions emphasized the barriers confronting community college students in remote areas, particularly concerning transportation and financial challenges that hinder their ability to transfer.

Call for Solutions

Educators and administrators have expressed the need for solutions, such as partnerships with neighboring universities or enhanced support systems designed to facilitate smoother transitions for these students.

Original source: EdSource.

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