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The report, "Unlocking Opportunity: Eight Strategies for Community Colleges to Improve Post-Completion Outcomes," draws on lessons from 10 pilot colleges that have implemented large-scale reforms aimed at improving students' economic prospects after graduation.
"Community college completion, regardless of what the credential is, should not be the end goal," the report states. While community college graduation rates have increased from 22 percent in 2011 to 35 percent in 2020, only 16 percent of students who start at community colleges earn a bachelor's degree within six years—a figure that has barely changed despite rising completion rates.
The report highlights a troubling disconnect between community college credentials and labor market success. Research suggests only about half of community college workforce credentials lead to graduates earning a living wage. Meanwhile, by 2031, 66 percent of good jobs paying family-sustaining wages will require a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 59 percent in 2021.
"Data show that in labor markets nationwide, the large and increasing majority of good jobs are held by individuals with bachelor's degrees," according to the report.
The eight strategies outlined fall into three categories: strengthening workforce programs, improving bachelor's degree pathways, and enhancing program onboarding. Key recommendations include:
Developing and expanding high-value programs aligned with employer demand and regional labor market needs. At Lorain County Community College in Ohio, for example, the institution partnered with manufacturers to develop a microelectronic manufacturing systems career ladder that includes hands-on instruction and work-based learning.
Strengthening or eliminating low-opportunity programs that fail to lead to living wages. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College identified 11 programs where graduates earned less than $16.50 per hour and worked with faculty to revamp them. The college's agronomy program doubled enrollment after adding drone certification and pesticide application courses that employers indicated would lead to higher wages.
Reducing reliance on general studies degrees, which account for nearly 60 percent of all transfer associate degrees nationally but show poor outcomes. The report notes that median earnings for graduates with a general studies associate degree and no bachelor's degree were just $24,000 nationally in 2019.
Odessa College in Texas removed the general studies option from new student applications in 2023 after data showed students in that pathway were substantially less likely to earn bachelor's degrees. Within two years, the college saw a 75 percent decrease in general studies enrollment, from 1,190 to 294 students.
Expanding pre-health pathways to accommodate students who don't gain admission to competitive nursing programs. Tulsa Community College launched a new Associate of Science in Health Administration program in fall 2025 to provide alternative pathways for the nearly 10 percent of students enrolled in pre-health programs who cannot secure nursing program slots.
Accelerating bachelor's attainment through stronger partnerships with four-year institutions. The report emphasizes that colleges must "begin with the end in mind" and align programs and partnerships to bachelor's degree completion.
The Unlocking Opportunity network began in 2023 with funding from Arnold Ventures, Ascendium Education Group, Bank of America, ECMC Foundation, JPMorganChase, Lumina Foundation, and Strada Education Foundation. The initiative expanded to 65 colleges in 2025.
"Each of the eight reforms outlined in this guide requires major institutional change," the report notes, emphasizing that successful implementation requires reforms to become top institutional priorities with adequate staff time, financial resources, and presidential leadership.
The report also provides colleges with tools for analyzing labor market realities and program value, including guidance on establishing living-wage standards based on regional cost of living and classifying programs based on post-completion earnings and transfer success.
Several states have already begun tying community college funding to post-graduation success. Texas House Bill 8, Ohio House Bill 96, and Florida Statute Section 1001.66 all condition some funding on students' outcomes in jobs and bachelor's degree attainment.
The report concludes with a call to action: "We hope all college leaders will act to unlock more economic opportunities for many more students."
