Today’s community college leaders are grappling with enrollment, auditing changes, recovery from pandemic-related challenges, and more. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Community colleges can reinvigorate their missions by investing in online synchronous learning.
This infographic, based on the eBook, The Future of Community Colleges: How to Boost Enrollment and Improve Student Outcomes With Online Learning, shows how.
Serving All Students
Community colleges play a critical role in the higher education landscape, serving a diverse student population.
- 66% of undergraduates enroll in community college at some point after completing high school
- 29% of community college students are the first generation in their family to attend college
- 56% of community college students identify as non-white
- The average age of a community college student is 27 years old
Navigating a Challenging Landscape
However, declining enrollment has been a struggle for community colleges for more than a decade.
- 1 million fewer students enrolled in community colleges between 2010 and 2017
- 14.4% decline in enrollment at community colleges from fall 2019 to fall 2021
- 32.2% decline in enrollment of Black first-year students since fall 2019
- Approximately 45% of low-income students who were originally planning on attending community college opted not to attend in fall 2020
The Digital Divide Is Shrinking
In the past, the digital divide was a barrier for community colleges who wanted to expand their reach with remote learning. But today, that divide is rapidly disappearing.
- 91% of new community college students report reliable internet access at home as of December 2020
- 90% of new community college students in 2020 reported having access to a device other than their mobile phone where they can take courses
Students Are Embracing Remote Instruction
With the tools to succeed in hand, students are now ready and eager to embrace online synchronous learning.
- 69% of first-year community college students prefer either fully online or hybrid learning according to a December 2020 survey
- 65% of continuing community college students in 2020 said they prefer remote or hybrid learning
- Students across all demographics prefer synchronous online learning according to a 2021 study of undergraduate learners
Improving Student Experiences With Synchronous Online Instruction
The data is clear: it’s time to reimagine remote learning at community colleges. By embracing online synchronous instruction, community colleges can provide a more connected and engaging remote learning experience, innovate in the classroom, and appeal to students who might otherwise have opted out of higher education.
Want to learn more about how your community college can better serve students with synchronous learning? Download our eBook: “The Future of Community Colleges: How to Boost Enrollment and Improve Student Outcomes With Online Learning.”
