FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Community College Organization (governance, finance)

• What are community colleges?
• What is the mission of a community college?
• Who attends community colleges?
• How are community colleges financed?
• How are community colleges governed?
• What services do community colleges offer to businesses?
• How do community colleges differ from other countries' educational systems?

  Questions for Prospective and Current Students

• Why should I get an AA degree or certificate?
• How do I find a particular major offered at a school near me?
• How much does a community college cost?
• How do I get financial aid to attend?
• How do I transfer to a 4-year school?
• How many community college students transfer to four-year institutions?
• Can I take community college courses while I'm in high school or enrolled at a 4-year institution?
• Do students with bachelor's or advanced degrees attend community colleges?
• How do I know if a college or program is accredited?
• I don't live in the United States. How do I get into a community college?

  Popular Questions from Researchers

• What are the most important sources of information about community colleges?
• Which community colleges are classified as Hispanic-Serving Institutions?
• Which community colleges are Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs)?
• What is the average salary for people with undergraduate or graduate degrees?
  

  Community College Faculty

• What are the characteristics of the faculty?
• What are the qualifications for teaching at a community college?

What are community colleges?

Community colleges are also called Associate of Arts colleges, junior colleges, two-year college, or technical colleges. They are accredited to offer the associate of arts degree as their highest degree. Most of these colleges also offer extensive occupational programs leading to certificates. The ability to award the associate degree distinguishes them from many of the publicly supported area vocational schools and adult education centers, and most of the proprietary business and trade institutions.

The majority of these institutions are publicly governed. In 2000-01, there were 1,076 public two-year colleges (including branch campuses) and 666 private two-year institutions. (Digest of Education Statistics, 2001)

The largest number of public community colleges are in:

What is the mission of a community college?

Most community colleges are committed to providing five essential services:

1. academic transfer preparation for students who wish to progress to baccalaureate level institutions
2. vocational-technical education for members of the community or employees at local corporations
3. continuing education for adults
4. remedial education, also known as developmental, preparatory, or basic skills education
5. community service, including offering cultural events for the community and short, non-credit courses and workshops to meet community needs

(Cohen, A., & Brawer, F., The American Community College, 2003).

Who attends community colleges?

Community colleges provide an entry to higher education for millions of students. In the fall of 1999, there were 5.3 million students enrolled in public community colleges, out of a total of 14.8 million students enrolled in higher education. In addition, another 5 million students participate in non-credit courses.

Almost two-thirds of community college students (62%) attend part-time. Fifty-seven percent of the students are women.

By ethnicity, 67% of the students are white, 12% are black, 13% are Hispanic, 7% are Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1% are American Indian or Alaskan natives.

Overall, 41% of all African American students, 56% of all Hispanic students, 40% of Asian/Pacific Islander students, and 50% of all Native American students in higher education attend community colleges. (Digest of Education Statistics, 2001)

A 1995 study of 4,695 community college students conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges found that the two most popular reasons cited by students for attending a community college were to prepare for transfer to a four-year institution and to gain skills necessary to enter a new occupation. (Cohen, A., & Brawer, F., Policies and Programs that Affect Transfer, 1996)

How are community colleges financed?

Nationwide, community colleges took in more than $23 billion in revenue in the 1996-97 school year. Sources for this revenue were (Digest of Education Statistics, 2001) :

• $10.2 billion (44%) from state governments
• $5.0 billion (21%) from student tuition and fees
• $4.4 billion (19%) from local governments
• $1.4 billion (6%) from auxiliary enterprises
• $1.2 billion (5%) from the federal government
• $1.1 billion (5%) from gifts, grants, endowment earnings, and other sources
  

How are community colleges governed?

Most community colleges are run by a board of trustees. The board, which is either elected locally or appointed by a governmental agency, sets district policy and is responsible for hiring and overseeing the president. In some states, community colleges are organized into multiunit districts.

A 1999 survey by Tollefson, Garrett, and Ingram found that most community colleges are governed by one of six state-level coordination entities:

1. state board of education (7 states)
2. state board or commission of higher education (12 states)
3. statewide coordinating board (12 states)
4. state governing board (5 states)
5. state board of regents (10 states)
6. vocational, school-district, or dual governing boards

(Cohen & Brawer, The American Community College, 2003)

What services do community colleges offer to businesses?

Community colleges, both through contractual arrangements with corporations and through their general curriculum, prepare millions of students for entry into the business world. Almost half of the community college courses offered are in occupational (non-liberal arts) fields, including business, nursing, and industrial and technical training. While some students enroll in programs leading to a certificate or a diploma, other students take one or two courses to improve their workforce readiness.

In addition, community colleges offer contracted services for specific occupational purposes. These usually fall into three categories: training designed specifically for the employees of certain companies, training for public-agency employees, and training for specific groups such as unemployed people or individuals trying to make the transition from welfare to self-sufficiency. (Cohen & Brawer, The American Community College, 2003)

How do community colleges differ from other countries' educational systems?

Check out the Web page for the U.S. Network for Education Information (USNEI), the central site for international educational mobility information in the United States: http://www.ed.gov/NLE/USNEI/index.html.

Another good source of information is the International Association of Universities, at:
http://www.unesco.org/iau/whed-2000.html.

Why should I get an AA degree or certificate?

There are several very good reasons for obtaining an associate degree or certificate at a community college. First, getting an associate degree is a cost-effective first step to obtaining a baccalaureate degree at a 4-year college or university. Second, there are economic benefits to obtaining an associate degree or a certificate. A 1996 report confirmed that, in 1987, individuals between 25 and 64 with associate degrees earned 21.5% more than individuals with a high school diploma, and those with vocational certificates earned 14.6% more than high school graduates. Finally, there is the "screening" effect. Some employers may require a college degree or certificate to even consider hiring someone for a job. An individual without these credentials, even if they are otherwise qualified for the job, may not even get a chance to interview for the position. (Grubb, Working in the Middle: Strengthening Education and Training for the Mid-Skilled Labor Force, 1996; Sanchez & Laanan, New Directions for Community Colleges, Winter 1998)

How do I find a particular major offered at a school near me?

The first step to take is to contact the community college(s) nearest you. You can either request a catalog or take a look at their web site, if one exists. A fairly complete listing of college web sites can be found at http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/cc/index.html. If you are unable to find a neighborhood college that offers the major you want, try some of these helpful search engines.

How much does a community college cost?

For 2000-2001, in-state community college tuition and required fees for a full-time student averaged $1,720 per year. By state, tuition figures for state residents are:

(Digest of Education Statistics, 2001)

How do I get financial aid to attend?

The 2000 National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey revealed that 37.7% of community college students received some form of financial aid. Specifically, 20.7% of all community college students surveyed received federal aid, 10.2% received state aid, 7.7% received aid from the college, and less than 2% received merit-based aid. (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 1999-2000 (NPSAS:2000))

For information on available financial aid for college students, go to our Financial Aid Resources page.

How do I transfer to a 4-year school?

Preparing students to transfer to a 4-year institution is one of the central missions of community colleges. Most community colleges have "articulation agreements" with local 4-year colleges and universities that spell out the admissions requirements of the 4-year, and list the community college courses that will meet those requirements. Students who are interested in transferring should talk to a counselor at the community college's transfer center during their first semester on campus in order to devise a plan of study that will allow them to transfer. Because the 4-year institutions sometimes change their requirements, or because additional courses may be required for students who intend to major in certain subjects, it is critical that students regularly check back with the counselors to ensure that they are following the course of study that best fits their plans.

Since 1989, the Center for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) in Los Angeles has been tracing the rate of transfer from the two-year colleges to four-year colleges and universities across the nation. The transfer rate definition that the Center uses is: all students entering the two-year college in a given year who have no prior college experience and who complete at least 12 college credit units within four years, divided into the number of that group who take one or more classes at a public, in-state university within four years.

Data Source

In the past, individual colleges, university systems, and state agencies have provided the data; however, for the 1999 and 2000 Transfer Assemblies, data were exclusively provided by state agencies. Eighteen states, which included 538 colleges, participated in the 2000 Transfer Assembly.

The Transfer Results

Of the students who entered in 1995 with no prior college experience, 52.4% completed 12+ credits at the community college and 25.18% of that group transferred to an in-state, public university within four years (by fall 1999). These results are higher than previous years’ studies, which ranged from 21.5% to 23.7%.

Results from Previous Years:

Entrants with No Prior College Experience

Transfers to In-State, Public Universities Within Four Years

Can I take community college courses while I'm in high school or enrolled at a 4-year institution?

Definitely yes! "Dual enrollment" is quite common. High school students can get a jump on college coursework by taking classes at their local community college while they are still attending high school. Talk to your high school counselor to find out more about your options.

Students who are enrolled at four-year institutions can also take classes at their local community colleges, either during the summer or the school year. The reasons for doing so include convenience (they may be able to take a course in the evening or on the weekends), lower costs, and availability (a course at the university may be filled). Make sure to check with an academic counselor at your 4-year college or university before enrolling to make sure that the credits will be accepted at their institution.

Do students with bachelor's or advanced degrees attend community colleges?

Yes. These students are called "postbaccalaureate reverse transfer students" and the American Association of Community Colleges estimates that between 10 and 20 percent of community college students may fall into this category. These students may be taking community college courses for fun (to improve their gardening skills, or learn how to speak Spanish or invest in the stock market) or they may take courses to prepare them for a new job or to advance in their current job. Academically, community colleges are an excellent hoice for these purposes because of their low cost and flexible course schedules, and because the curricula tend to be practical and focused on the students' needs. Depending on the student's interest, these courses can be taken on a credit or non-credit basis. (Townsend & Lambert, New Directions for Community Colleges, Summer 1999)

How do I know if a college or program is accredited?

The federal government has recognized six regional and approximately fifty specialized accrediting agencies, made up of representatives from higher education institutions who ensure that the programs offered by a college meet the standards of the higher education community. You can contact these agencies to see if the college or program of interest to ou is accredited. All public community colleges are accredited, but you can look at whether individual programs, such as nursing or psychology, are accredited.

Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/accreditation/regionalagencies.html

National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/accreditation/natlinstandspec.html

I don't live in the United States. How do I get into a community college?

Here are three good Web sites to provide you with information about studying in the United States:

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/educ/studyus.htm

http://www.studyusa.com

http://www.conversa1.com/S_homepage.html

What are the most important sources of information about community colleges?

(1) The American Association of Community Colleges, founded in 1920, is the oldest national organization devoted to community colleges. They conduct research and produce the Community College Times. They are online at www.aacc.nche.edu

(2) The Chronicle of Higher Education, the nation's most popular weekly focused on colleges and universities, has a special online section on community colleges. See the headlines at www.chronicle.com/cc/

(3) The major journals devoted to community colleges are: Community College Journal, Community College Times, Community College Review, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, and New Directions for Community Colleges

(4) Some of the more popular books addressing community colleges are:

Which community colleges are classified as Hispanic-Serving Institutions?

Hispanic-Americans' enrollment in postsecondary education increased close to 70 percent in just nine years--from about 782,000 in 1990 to about 1.3 million in 1999. Today, there are about 14.8 million students in postsecondary education, of which over 9 percent are Hispanic. Approximately 46 percent of undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent are enrolled at Hispanic Serving Institutions. (Digest of Education Statistics, 2001.)

There is no official designation for HSIs. The only federal definition of HSIs that exists is Title V of the Higher Education Act [HEA] of 1965, as amended. This legislation identifies HSIs as accredited and degree-granting public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with at least 25 percent or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent student enrollment.

There are 203 institutions of higher education in the 1998-99 list of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) compiled by the White House Initiative. Forty-six percent of HSIs are public 2-year institutions and 38% of total public 2-year HSIs are in California. Click on this link for a complete list of HSIs: http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/resources/hispanicserving.htm

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as: " ... any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation."

One hundred and three HBCUs enroll 14% of all African-American students in higher education, although they constitute only 3% of America's 3,706 postsecondary institutions. In the 1999-2000 school year, HBCUs awarded 27% of all bachelor's degrees earned by African Americans nationwide, conferred one in five master's or fist professional degrees earned by African Americans, and awarded 15% of the doctoral degrees given to African Americans. (Digest of Education Statistics, 2001.)

The White House Initiative on HBCU's, a small office within the Department of Education, coordinates the activities of various Federal agencies in their implementation of Executive Order 12876, which mandates their support of HBCU's.

The following community colleges are HBCUs:

What is the average salary for people with undergraduate and graduate degrees?

The 1997 U.S. Census reports median earnings for persons 18 or older by educational attainment:

• No high school diploma: $17,148
• High school graduate (includes equivalency): $22,502
• Some college, no degree: $26,090
• Associate's degree: $29,457
• Bachelor's degree: $36,525
• Master's degree: $45,053
• Professional degree: $65,916
• Doctorate: $56,758

What are the characteristics of community college faculty?

In 1998, the Department of Education conducted a survey of higher education faculty. There were 102,500 full-time faculty employed in community colleges. On average, they work 49 hours per week, with 72% of their time devoted to teaching, 12% spent on administration, and 10% each devoted to professional development and service. About 4% of the typical faculty member's time was spent on research and scholarship.

There were also 170,000 part-time faculty, who spent about 66% of their time teaching, 21% each on service and outside consulting, and 12% each on research, professional development, and administration.

Of the full-time instructors, 50% were men, 85% white, 6% black, 5% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 1% Native American. Fifty-five percent of them were between the ages of 40 and 54, and 30% were age 55 or older. Seventy-one percent of the full-time instructors earned base salaries between $25, 000 and $55,000, and 17% earned salaries between $55,000 and $70,000.

Of the part-time instructors, 52% were men, 87% white, 5% black, 5% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% Native American. Fifty-one percent were between the ages of 40 and 54, and 12% were age 55 or older. Ninety-two percent of the part-time instructors earned less than $25,000 in base salary.

What are the qualifications for teaching at a community college?

According to a 1998 survey of higher education faculty, 62% of the full-time instructors had a master's degree, 18% a doctoral degree, 13% a bachelor's degree, 6% less than a bachelor's degree, and 2% a professional degree.

For part-time faculty, 59% had a master's degree, 20% a bachelor's degree, 11% less than a bachelor's degree, 8% a doctoral degree, and 3% a professional degree. (NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2001.)