ERIC Edinfo: Community Colleges: Who Attends and Why

Community Colleges: Who Attends and Why

EDINFO 2002-03
April 2002
ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges

In the fall of 1999 the American Association of Community Colleges and ACT, Inc. jointly conducted the first annual Faces of the Future survey. This nationally representative study of more than 100,000 students at 245 community colleges in 41 states surveyed both credit and non-credit students about many aspects of their community college experience. Highlighted here are findings as they relate to the various student populations served by community colleges, and findings as they relate to information technology training.

Students with Degrees

28% of non-credit students had already attained a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Individuals with bachelor’s degrees or higher were less likely than other students to report that they were taking classes for future or current job advancement; however, they were equally as likely as others to report that they were taking classes for computer-related skills.

Single Parents

7% of credit students at community colleges are single parents.
Responses from single parent credit students indicate that these students were particularly focused on obtaining skills necessary to enter the workforce.

25% of single parent credit students stated that developing computer skills was a major reason for taking classes at the college.

First-Generation Students

60% of public community college students are first generation (i.e., neither parent has had any postsecondary educational experience).
First-generation students were more likely than others to take classes for reasons related to a current job, to develop computer skills, and to enter the workforce after a major life change.
23% of first-generation credit students stated that developing computer skills was a major reason for taking classes at the college.

Older Students

16% of the community college population in 1997 was aged 40 or older.
Older students were more likely to report taking classes for personal enrichment.
Approximately one-third of credit students and one-third of non-credit students aged 40 or older indicated a major reason for attending community college was to gain computer skills.

This information was reported in ED439760, "Faces of the Future: A Portrait of America’s Community College Students. Summary Findings" by Kent A. Phillippe and Michael J. Valiga. A full-text copy of this document may be obtained by contacting ERIC Document Reproduction Services (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; or by calling (800) 443-ERIC. This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract number ED-99-CO-0010. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ERIC EdInfos are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.

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