As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the higher education sector, concerns arise around enrollment rates. More specifically, at community colleges.
“I think there is just a great deal of concern in the community college field right now that those students may really be a lost generation to college going in general,” says Dr. Thomas Brock, director of the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University. “We know from past work that the longer students delay starting college, particularly after high school, the less likely they are to begin or to complete college. So that is just a very big worry.”
Based on educational attainment, the average earnings for full-time employees include $31,315 for less than a high school diploma, $40,510 for a high school diploma, $50,079 for an associate degree and $65,374 for a bachelor’s degree, according to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
“A community college degree is worth it,” Brock adds. “We have lots of evidence to that effect. I understand the challenges community college students are facing right now on every level, from health concerns to trying to take classes online and just balance, family and jobs, personal responsibilities. But it really is worth the effort, even if you’re having to shift to online courses.”
Though many community colleges are still following budgets that were set before the pandemic, the decrease in enrollment could create upcoming financial trouble.
“Community colleges are enrollment driven really in every state,” says Brock. “So as their enrollments decline, that will likely mean that state budgets and local budgets that support community colleges will decline. And states themselves are in a difficult spot with probably lower tax revenues and they will be looking for places to cut. We have not really seen this yet, but I think it is a big worry for next year and beyond.”
