Community college is a more accessible and cheaper alternative to traditional four-year universities. However, the transfer rates to a university for a bachelor’s degree are low, with only 63 students out of 500 achieving their goal within four years of transferring. The racial disparity is also evident, with black and Hispanic students having even lower transfer rates than white students. This can be detrimental to their futures, as a bachelor’s degree can earn a graduate a $500k premium in lifetime earnings compared to an associate’s degree.
To address this issue, community colleges and universities must work together to create clear transfer pathways and major requirements for students. Many students become confused due to changing their majors at least more than once. Academic advisors also play an essential role in decreasing informational barriers and increasing on-time graduation rates. Unfortunately, less than half of transfer-aspiring students have ever visited an academic advisor.
Kentucky has an ambitious goal to have 60% of the state’s population earn a post-secondary degree or credential by 2030. Connecting the path between universities and community colleges must be a focus to increase transfer rates in Kentucky. By implementing these strategies, community college students in Kentucky can succeed in achieving their academic goals and contribute to the state’s overall educational attainment.
Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative
